Substituted 4-amino-benzylpiperidine compounds

ABSTRACT

This invention provides 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds; and methods for treating disease conditions mediated by muscarinic receptors, such as overactive bladder, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, using such compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/888,855, filed Jul. 9, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,368,463, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/486,337, filed on Jul. 11, 2003; the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to substituted 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds which are useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists. This invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds for treating medical conditions mediated by muscarinic receptors; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.

2. State of the Art

The muscarinic receptor family comprises five known receptor subtypes, i.e., M₁, M₂, M₃, M₄ and M₅ receptors, with each receptor subtype having a distinct distribution and function. For example, smooth muscle tissues typically express both M₂ and M₃ receptor subtypes and these receptors serve to mediate the contraction of these tissues.

As a result, compounds that act as muscarinic receptor antagonists are known to be useful for treating various medical conditions associated with improper smooth muscle function, such as overactive bladder (OAB), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These smooth muscle function disorders are highly prevalent in society resulting in enormous economic costs. For example, in the United States alone, an estimated 30 million people, primarily women and the elderly, suffer from overactive bladder and approximately $10 billion are spent annually treating this condition. More importantly, the quality of life and self-esteem of patients afflicted with these disorders is often significantly impaired

Until recently, most compounds that act as muscarinic receptor antagonists were relatively non-selective for the various muscarinic receptor subtypes. As a result, such compounds often produced unpleasant side-effects, such as dry-mouth, constipation, blurred vision, or cognitive side effects. The most common of these side-effects is dry-mouth which results from inhibition of M₃ receptors in the salivary gland. This dry-mouth side effect is often so severe that an estimated 80 to 85 percent of patients being treated for overactive bladder discontinue their medication within six months and, as a result, their condition goes untreated.

Accordingly, a need exists for new muscarinic receptor antagonists. In particular, a need exists for new muscarinic receptor antagonists which selectively inhibit M₂ receptors relative to M₃ receptors. Such compounds are expected to be particularly effective for treating smooth muscle disorders mediated by M₂ and M₃ receptor subtypes, such as overactive bladder, while reducing or eliminating the dry-mouth, constipation and blurred vision side-effects mediated predominately by the M₃ receptor subtype.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel substituted 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds which are useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists. Among other properties, compounds of this invention have been found to be potent inhibitors of M₂ receptor activity. Additionally, compounds of this invention have been found to possess surprising and unexpected selectivity for the M₂ receptor subtype relative to the M₃ receptor subtype.

Accordingly, in one of its composition aspects, this invention provides a compound of formula I:

wherein

W, X, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of CH and CR⁴;

R¹ is a group of formula (a): —(CH₂)_(a)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c)—  (a)

wherein each —CH₂— group in formula (a) and the —CH₂— group between the piperidine nitrogen atom and the ring containing W, X, Y and Z in formula I is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents;

R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —CH₂—R⁵ and —(CH₂)_(x)—R⁶; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents;

each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —CH₂—R⁷ and —(CH₂)_(y)—R⁸; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents;

each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁, alkyl C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —OR³ and halo; or two adjacent R⁴ groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —O—(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-, —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—, —(O)C—CH═CH— or —CH═CH—C(O)—; or when Z is CR⁴, —OR³ and R⁴ are joined to form —O—(C₂₋₅ alkylene)- or —O—(C₁₋₅ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents;

each R⁵ and R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, —C(O)(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, —C(O)(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl) and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k) and the aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally further substituted with a phenyl group, where the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k);

each R⁶ and R⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OR⁹, —SR⁹, —S(O)R⁹, —S(O)₂R⁹, —C(O)R⁹, C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl and C₃₋₄ heterocyclic; wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k);

each R⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl and C₂₋₉ heteroaryl; wherein the alkyl and cycloalkyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k);

each R^(a) and R^(b) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, cyano, halo, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f) and —NR^(g)R^(h); or two adjacent R^(a) groups or two adjacent R^(b) groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-O— or —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents;

each R^(c) and R^(d) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents;

each R^(e) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, C₃₋₆ heterocyclic, —CH₂—R^(i) and —CH₂CH₂—R^(j); or both R^(e) groups are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents; and each aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k);

each R^(f) is independently selected from the group consisting hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents;

each R^(g) and R^(h) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; or R^(g) and R^(h) are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents, and the heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substitutents independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl and fluoro;

each R^(i) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₄ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k);

each R^(j) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₄ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, C₃₋₄ heterocyclic, —OH, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —O(C₃₋₄ cycloalkyl), —O(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —O(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl), —S(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(O)₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(O)(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(O)₂(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(O)(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(O)₂(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl), —S(O)(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl) and —S(O)₂(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl); wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents; and each aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k);

each R^(k) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl, cyano, halo, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f) and —NR^(g)R^(h); or two adjacent R^(k) groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-O— or —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl and alkynyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substitutents;

a is an integer from 2 to 7;

b is 0 or 1;

c is an integer from 2 to 7; provided that a+b+c equals 7, 8 or 9;

m is an integer from 0 to 3;

n is an integer from 0 to 3;

p is 1 or 2;

q is an integer from 0 to 4;

r is an integer from 0 to 4;

x is an integer from 2 to 4;

y is an integer from 2 to 4;

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

In another of its composition aspects, this invention is directed to a compound of formula II:

wherein R¹, R², R³, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

In yet another of its composition aspects, this invention is directed to a compound of formula III:

wherein R¹, R² and R³ are as defined herein; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

In another of its composition aspects, this invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

The compounds of this invention are muscarinic receptor antagonists. Accordingly, in one of its method aspects, this invention provides a method for treating a mammal having a medical condition alleviated by treatment with a muscarinic receptor antagonist, the method comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

The compounds of this invention can also be used as research tools, i.e., to study biological systems or samples, or to discover new muscarinic receptor antagonists. Accordingly, in another of its method aspects, this invention is directed to a method of antagonizing a muscarinic receptor in a biological system or sample, the method comprising contacting a biological system or sample comprising a muscarinic receptor with a muscarinic receptor-antagonizing amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

This invention is also directed to processes for preparing compounds of formula I or a salt thereof. Accordingly, in another of its method aspects, this invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula I, or a salt or stereoisomer or protected derivative thereof; the process comprising reacting a compound of formula IV:

or a salt or stereoisomer or protected derivative thereof, with a compound of formula V:

wherein R², R³, R^(d), r, W, X, Y and Z are as defined herein, or a salt or protected derivative thereof, and a reducing agent to provide a compound of formula I or a salt or protected derivative thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the above process further comprises the step of forming a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of a compound of formula I. This invention is also directed to the other processes described herein; and to the product prepared by any of the processes described herein.

This invention is also directed to a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof, for use in therapy or as a medicament.

Additionally, this invention is directed to the use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament; especially for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a medical condition which is alleviated by treatment with a muscarinic receptor antagonist, such as overactive bladder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides novel substituted 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or solvates or stereoisomers thereof. These compounds may contain one or more chiral centers and, when such a chiral center or centers are present, this invention is directed to racemic mixtures; pure stereoisomers (i.e., individual enantiomers or diastereomers); and stereoisomer-enriched mixtures of such isomers, unless otherwise indicated. When a particular stereoisomer is shown, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that minor amounts of other stereoisomers may be present in the compositions of this invention unless otherwise indicated, provided that the utility of the composition as a whole is not eliminated by the presence of such other isomers.

The compounds of this invention also contain several basic groups (e.g., amino groups) and therefore, the compounds of formula I can exist in various salt forms. All such salt forms are included within the scope of this invention. Also, included within the scope of this invention are pharmaceutically-acceptable solvates of the compounds of formula I or the salts thereof.

Additionally, all cis-trans or E/Z isomers (geometric isomers) and tautomeric forms of the compounds of formula I are included within the scope of this invention.

The nomenclature used to describe the compounds of this invention is illustrated by the following representative example. The name 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine designates a compound of the formula:

This compound can also be named using AutoNom (MDL, San Leandro Calif.) as follows: 2-[(S)-1-(7-{[1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamino}heptyl)pyrrolidin-3-yl}-2,2-diphenylacetamide.

Representative Embodiments

The following substituents and values are intended to provide representative examples and embodiments of various aspects of this invention. These representative values are intended to further define such aspects and embodiments and are not intended to exclude other embodiments or limit the scope of this invention. In this regard, the representation that a particular value or substituent is preferred is not intended in any way to exclude other values or substituents from this invention unless specifically indicated.

In the compounds of this invention, R¹ is a group of the formula —(CH₂)_(a)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c)—, wherein a, b and care as defined herein. In one preferred embodiment, R¹ is —(CH₂)_(a+c)—, i.e., where b is 0, and a and c are as defined herein. In another preferred embodiment, R¹ is —(CH₂)_(a)—O—(CH₂)_(c)—, i.e., where b is 1, and a and c are as defined herein.

Preferred R¹ groups include —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₆—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₅—O—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₅—O—(CH₂)₃— and —(CH₂)₆—O—(CH₂)₂—.

Particularly preferred R¹ groups include —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— and —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—. Especially preferred R¹ groups are —(CH₂)₇— and —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—.

In R¹, each —CH₂— group is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and fluoro, wherein the methyl and ethyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents. Representative substituents include fluoro, methyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, R² is C₁₋₄ alkyl; more preferably, R² is C₂₋₃ alkyl; wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents. Particularly preferred R² groups in this embodiment are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl. Especially preferred R² groups are ethyl, n-propyl and isopropyl.

In another preferred embodiment, R² is —CH₂—R⁵, wherein R¹ is as defined herein. In this embodiment, R² (i.e., —CH₂—R⁵) is preferably selected from the group consisting of:

(a) —CH₂—(C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl); and more preferably, —CH₂—(C₃ cycloalkyl); wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents;

(b) —CH₂— (phenyl), i.e., benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents;

(c)—CH₂— (naphthyl); wherein the naphthyl group (i.e., a 1- or 2-naphthyl group) is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents;

(d)—CH₂— (biphenyl), wherein each phenyl ring of the biphenyl group (i.e., a 1,2-, 1,3- or 1,4-biphenyl group) is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents;

(e) —CH₂— (pyridyl); wherein the pyridyl group (i.e., a 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl group) is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄, alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents; and

(f) —CH₂C(O)-(phenyl), i.e., phenacyl, wherein the phenyl ring of the phenacyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents.

Particularly preferred R² groups in this embodiment include cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl and cyclopentylmethyl; and benzyl, 4-cyanobenzyl, 4-methylbenzyl, 4-trifluoromethoxybenzyl, 4-difluoromethoxybenzyl, 4-thiomethoxybenzyl, 4-methanesulfonylbenzyl, 4-tert-butylbenzyl, 4-phenylbenzyl, pyridyl-2-ylmethyl, pyrid-3-ylmethyl, napthth-2-ylmethyl, 3-cyanophenacyl, and 3,4-ethylenedioxyphenacyl.

In yet another preferred embodiment, R² is —(CH₂)_(x)—R⁶, wherein x is 2, 3 or 4; preferably 2 or 3. In this embodiment, R² (i.e., —(CH₂)_(x)—R⁶) is preferably selected from the group consisting of:

(a) —(CH₂)_(x)—OH;

(b) —(CH₂)_(x)—O(C₁₋₄ alkyl); more preferably, —(CH₂)_(x)—O(C₁₋₃ alkyl); and still more preferably, —(CH₂)—O(C₁₋₂ alkyl); wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents;

(c) —(CH₂)_(x)—S(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —(CH₂)_(x)—S(O)(C₁₋₄ alkyl), or —(CH₂)_(x)—S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); more preferably, —(CH₂), —S(C₁₋₃ alkyl), —(CH₂)_(x), —S(O)(C₁₋₃ alkyl), or —(CH₂)_(x)—S(O)₂(C₁₋₃ alkyl); and still more preferably, —(CH₂)_(x)—S(C₁₋₂ alkyl), —(CH₂)_(x)—S(O)(C₁₋₂ alkyl), or —(CH₂)_(x)—S(O)₂(C₁₋₂ alkyl); wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents;

(d) —(CH₂)_(x)— (phenyl), e.g., phenethyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents;

(e) —(CH₂)_(x)—(O-phenyl), wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents;

(f) —(CH₂)_(x)— (naphthyl), wherein the naphthyl group (i.e., a 1- or 2-naphthyl group) is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents; and

(g) —(CH₂)_(x)— (indolyl), wherein the indolyl group (i.e., a 2- or 3-indolyl group) is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); preferably, 1 or 2 substituents (preferably 1 substituent) selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyano, fluoro, chloro, —O(C₁₋₄ alkyl), —S(C₁₋₄ alkyl) and —S(O)₂(C₁₋₄ alkyl); where each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents.

For this embodiment, preferred R² groups include 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-methoxyethyl, 2-(methylthio)ethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-(ethylthio)ethyl, 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)ethyl, 2-phenethyl, 2-(naphth-1-yl)ethyl, 2-(indol-3-yl)ethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, 3-ethoxypropyl, 3-phenylpropyl and 3-phenoxypropyl.

In a preferred embodiment, R² is C₁₋₄ alkyl, —CH₂—(C₃₋₅ alkyl), —CH₂—(C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl), —CH₂CH₂—OH or —CH₂CH₂—O(C₁₋₄ alkyl).

More preferably, R² is ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl or 2-hydroxyethyl.

Preferably, each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyclopropylmethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents. More preferably, each R³ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 4 fluoro substitutents. Still more preferably, each R³ is independently C₁₋₃ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 4 fluoro substitutents. Still more preferably, each R³ is methyl.

Particularly preferred R³ groups include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,3-difluoroprop-2-yl, 1,1,3,-trifluoroprop-2-yl, and 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-2-yl.

Preferably, R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, —OR³ and halo; wherein R³ is as defined herein including its preferred embodiments and wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents. More preferably, R⁴ is C₁₋₃ alkyl, —OR³, fluoro and chloro; wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents. Still more preferably, R⁴ is C₁₋₂ alkyl, —OR³, fluoro or chloro. Still more preferably, R⁴ is methyl, —OR³, fluoro or chloro. In a preferred embodiment, R⁴ is —OR³.

In separate embodiments of this invention, W, X, Y and Z are defined as follows:

(a) W is CR⁴; X is CH; Y is CH; and Z is CH;

(b) W is CH; X is CR⁴; Y is CH and Z is CH;

(c) W is CH; X is CH; Y is CR⁴; and Z is CH;

(d) W is CH; X is CH; Y is CH; and Z is CR⁴; or

(e) W is CR⁴; and one of X, Y and Z is CR⁴ and the others are CH.

Alternatively, when Wand X are CR⁴, the two adjacent R⁴ groups can be joined to form a —(O)C—CH═CH— group. In this embodiment, Y and Z are preferably CH, i.e., the ring containing W, X, Y and Z and the —(O)C—CH═CH— group preferably form a 2-oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-8-yl (i.e., coumarin) ring system of the formula:

In the compounds of formula I, the —CH₂— group attached to the piperidine nitrogen atom and the phenyl ring containing W, X, Y and Z, is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and fluoro, wherein the methyl and ethyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents. Representative substituents include fluoro, methyl, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl and the like.

When present, each R^(a) or R^(b) is preferably independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, fluoro, chloro and —OR^(f); wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents. More preferably, each R^(a) and R^(b) is C₁₋₂ alkyl or fluoro. Particularly preferred R^(a) and R^(b) groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, fluoro, chloro, methoxy, ethoxy, difluoromethoxy and trifluoromethoxy.

When present, each R^(c) or R^(d) is preferably independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents. When two R^(c) or R^(d) substituents are present, they can be on the same or different carbon atoms. Particularly preferred R^(c) and R^(d) groups include methyl, ethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl and fluoro.

Preferably, each R^(e) is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl. More preferably, each R^(e) is independently hydrogen or C₁₋₂ alkyl. Still more preferably, each R^(e) is hydrogen. Particularly preferred R^(e) groups include hydrogen, methyl and ethyl.

Alternatively, both R^(e) groups are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₅₋₆ heterocyclic ring optionally containing one additional heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Particularly preferred heterocyclic rings include pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl, piperazin-1-yl, morpholin-4-yl and thiomorpholin-4-yl

Preferably, each R^(i) is independently phenyl; wherein each phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k).

Preferably, each R^(j) is independently selected from the group consisting of phenyl, —OH and —O(C₁₋₂ alkyl); wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substitutents; and each phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k).

Preferably, m is 0, 1 or 2; more preferably, m is 0 or 1; and still more preferably, m is 0.

Preferably, n is 0, 1 or 2; more preferably, n is 0 or 1; and still more preferably, n is 0.

Preferably, p is 1.

When p is 1, i.e., when the ring defined by p is a pyrrolidine ring, then in one preferred embodiment, the stereocenter at the 3-position of the pyrrolidine ring (i.e., the carbon atom bearing the 1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl group) preferable has the (S) stereochemistry. In another preferred embodiment, this stereocenter has the (R) stereochemistry.

Preferably, q is 0.

Preferably, r is 0.

Preferably, x is 2 or 3.

Preferably, y is 2 or 3.

A preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula I wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈— or —(CH₂)₉—; R³ is methyl; W is CR⁴, where R⁴ is —OCH₃; X is CH; Y is CH; Z is CH; both R^(c) are hydrogen; m, n, q and r are 0; p is 1; and R² is as defined herein including its preferred embodiments; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

Another preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula I wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈— or —(CH₂)₉—; R² is isopropyl; W is CR⁴, where R⁴ is —OR³; X is CH; Y is CH; Z is CH; both R^(e) are hydrogen; m, n, q and r are 0; p is 1; and R³ is as defined herein including its preferred embodiments; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

Still another preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula I wherein R² is isopropyl; R³ is methyl; W is CR⁴, where R⁴ is —OCH₃; X is CH; Y is CH; Z is CH; both R^(e) are hydrogen; m, n, q and r are 0; p is 1; and R¹ is as defined herein including its preferred embodiments; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof.

Yet another preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula I, II or III wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)₇— or —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—; R² is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl; and each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,3-difluoroprop-2-yl, 1,1,3,-trifluoroprop-2-yl, and 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-2-yl.

Another preferred group of compounds are compounds of formula IX:

wherein R¹, R², R³, W, X, Y and Z are as defined in Table 1, and each R^(e) is hydrogen unless indicated otherwise in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof.

TABLE I Ex. No. R¹ R²

1 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 2 —(CH₂)₈— methyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 3 —(CH₂)₉— methyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 4 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 5 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 6 —(CH₂)₇— 2-phenethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 7 —(CH₂)₇— hydrogen 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 8 —(CH₂)₈— hydrogen 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 9 —(CH₂)₉— hydrogen 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 10 —(CH₂)₇— 2-(naphth-1-yl)ethyl 2,6-dimethoxyphenyl 11 —(CH₂)₇— 3-phenylpropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 12 —(CH₂)₇— n-butyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 13 —(CH₂)₇— naphth-2-ylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 14 —(CH₂)₇— 2-ethoxyethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 15 —(CH₂)₇— pyrid-2-ylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 16 —(CH₂)₇— 3,4-ethylenedioxy- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl phenacetyl 17 —(CH₂)₇— 2-(indol-3-yl)ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 18 —(CH₂)₇— 3-hydroxyethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 19 —(CH₂)₇— 3-cyanophenacyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 20 —(CH₂)₇— 3-phenoxypropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 21 —(CH₂)₇— 4-difluoromethoxy- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl benzyl 22 —(CH₂)₇— 4-tert-butylbenzyl 2,6-dimthoxybenzyl 23 —(CH₂)₇— 4-trifluoromethoxy- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl benzyl 24 —(CH₂)₇— 4-phenylbenzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 25 —(CH₂)₇— 4-cyanobenzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 26 —(CH₂)₇— 4-methylbenzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 27 —(CH₂)₇— 4-methanesulfonyl- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl benzyl 28 —(CH₂)₇— pent-5-en-1-yl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 29 —(CH₂)₇— benzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 30 —(CH₂)₇— 4-methylthiobenzyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 31 —(CH₂)₇— phenacyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 32 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 2,3-dimethoxybenzyl 33 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 34 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 4-benzyloxy-2- methoxybenzyl 35 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 5-bromo-2- methoxybenzyl 36 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 2-methoxybenzyl 37 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 2-hydroxybenzyl 38 —(CH₂)₇— methyl 4-benzyloxy-2- hydroxybenzyl 39 —(CH₂)₇— 2,6- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl dimethoxybenzyl 40 —(CH₂)₇— 2-methylbut-1-yl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 41 —(CH₂)₇— 3,3-dimthylbut-1-yl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 42 —(CH₂)₇— 3-methylthiobut-1-yl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 43 —(CH₂)₇— 3-methylthioprop-1- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl yl 44 —(CH₂)₇— cyclohexylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 45 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopropylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 46 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 47 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 48 —(CH₂)₈— n-propyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 49 —(CH₂)₉— n-propyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 50 —(CH₂)₇— 3-methoxyprop-1-yl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 51 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 52 —(CH₂)₇— cyclohexyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 53 —(CH₂)₇— 2,2,2-trifluoromethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 54 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopentyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 55 —(CH₂)₇— cyclobutyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 56 —(CH₂)₇— 2-(morpholin-1- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl yl)ethyl 57 —(CH₂)₇— 2-hydroxyethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 58 —(CH₂)₇— 2-methoxyethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 59 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 60 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2-methoxybenzyl 61 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl 62 —(CH₂)₇— hydrogen 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl 63 —(CH₂)₇— hydrogen 2-methoxybenzyl 64 —(CH₂)₇— hydrogen 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 65 —(CH₂)₈— ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 66 —(CH₂)₈— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 67 —(CH₂)₇— n-pentyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 68 —(CH₂)₇— 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 69 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2,6-dimthoxybenzyl R^(e) = methyl R^(e) = hydrogen 70 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2,6-dimthoxybenzyl R^(e) = methyl R^(e) = methyl 71 —(CH₂)₇— 2-(ethylthio)ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 72 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopropylmethyl 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 73 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopropylmethyl 2-methoxybenzyl 74 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopropylmethyl 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl 75 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl 76 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-methoxybenzyl 77 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl 78 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2,5-dimthoxybenzyl 79 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2-methoxybenzyl 80 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl 81 —(CH₂)₉— cyclopropylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 82 —(CH₂)₉— methyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl R^(e) = methyl R^(e) = hydrogen 83 —(CH₂)₉— methyl 2,5-dimethoxy-3- fluorobenzyl 84 —(CH₂)₇— n-propyl 2-isopropoxy-6- methoxybenzyl 85 —(CH₂)₇— cycloprropylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl R^(e) = methyl R^(e) = hydrogen 86 —(CH₂)₇— cyclopropylmethyl 2,6-diisopropoxybenzyl 87 —(CH₂)₉— ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 88 —(CH₂)₉— 2-(2,2,2- 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl trifluoroethoxy)ethyl 89 —(CH₂)₉— isobutyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 90 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,6-diisopropoxybenzyl 91 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl (7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methyl 92 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl (7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methyl 93 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl (7-ethoxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methyl 94 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 6-hydroxy-2- methoxybenzyl 95 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,6-diethoxybenzyl 96 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,4,6-trimethoxybenzyl 97 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-difluoromethoxybenzyl 98 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-trifluoromethoxybenzyl 99 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2,6-dihydroxybenzyl 100 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-ethoxybenzyl 101 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-isopropoxybenzyl 102 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxy)benzyl 103 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-hydroxy-6-(2- hydroxyethyl)benzyl 104 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6- methoxybenzyl 105 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-ethoxy-6-(2- hydroxyethyl)benzyl 106 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl α-methyl-2- methoxybenzyl¹ 107 —(CH₂)₉— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 108 —(CH₂)₇— pyrid-3-ylmethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 109 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-chloro-66- methoxybenzyl 110 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 111 —(CH₂)₇— ethyl 2-methoxy-6- methylbenzyl 112 —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₆— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 113 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 3-bromo-2,6- dimethoxybenzyl 114 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2-trifluoromethoxybenzyl 115 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 116 —(CH₂)₆—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 117 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 118 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2-isopropoxybenzyl 119 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl R^(e) = methyl R^(e) = hydrogen 120 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 121 —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₄— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 122 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxy-3- hydroxybenzyl 123 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxy-4- hydroxybenzyl 124 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 3-bromo-2,6- dimethoxybenzyl 125 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl R^(e) = methyl R^(e) = hydrogen 126 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— isopropyl (7-ethoxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methyl 127 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃ isopropyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 128 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₃— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 129 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— isopropyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 130 —(CH₂)₅—O—(CH₂)₃— isopropyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 131 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl 2-methoxybenzyl 132 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 133 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 134 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl 2-trifluoromethoxybenzyl 135 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂— isopropyl (7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methyl 136 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 137 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 138 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 139 —(CH₂)₇— isopropyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 140 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— ethyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 141 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— ethyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 142 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— ethyl 2,6-dimethoxybenzyl 143 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— ethyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 144 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— ethyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 145 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— isopropyl 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzyl 146 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— isopropyl 2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl 147 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— isopropyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 148 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2,6-dimethoxy-3- hydroxybenzyl 149 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— ethyl 2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl 150 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl 151 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl 152 —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄— methyl 2,6-dimethoxy-4- hydroxybenzyl 153 —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— ethyl 2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl ¹In compound 106, the —CH₂— group (adjacent to the ring containing W, X, Y and Z) is substituted with a methyl group.

DEFINITIONS

When describing the compounds, compositions, methods and processes of this invention, the following terms have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated.

The term “alkyl” means a monovalent saturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched. Unless otherwise defined, such alkyl groups typically contain from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative alkyl groups include, by way of example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl and the like.

The term “alkylene” means a divalent saturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched. Unless otherwise defined, such alkylene groups typically contain from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative alkylene groups include, by way of example, methylene, ethane-1,2-diyl (“ethylene”), propane-1,2-diyl, propane-1,3-diyl, butane-1,4-diyl, pentane-1,5-diyl and the like.

The term “alkenyl” means a monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched and which has at least one, and typically 1, 2 or 3, carbon-carbon double bonds. Unless otherwise defined, such alkenyl groups typically contain from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative alkenyl groups include, by way of example, ethenyl, n-propenyl, isopropenyl, n-but-2-enyl, n-hex-3-enyl and the like.

The term “alkynyl” means a monovalent unsaturated hydrocarbon group which may be linear or branched and which has at least one, and typically 1, 2 or 3, carbon-carbon triple bonds. Unless otherwise defined, such alkynyl groups typically contain from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative alkynyl groups include, by way of example, ethynyl, n-propynyl, n-but-2-ynyl, n-hex-3-ynyl and the like.

The term “aryl” means a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon having a single ring (i.e., phenyl) or fused rings (i.e., naphthalene). Unless otherwise defined, such aryl groups typically contain from 6 to 10 carbon ring atoms. Representative aryl groups include, by way of example, phenyl and naphthalene-1-yl, naphthalene-2-yl, and the like.

The term “cycloalkyl” means a monovalent saturated carbocyclic hydrocarbon group. Unless otherwise defined, such cycloalkyl groups typically contain from 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative cycloalkyl groups include, by way of example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like.

The term “halo” means fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

The term “heteroaryl” means a monovalent aromatic group having a single ring or two fused rings and containing in the ring at least one heteroatom (typically 1 to 3 heteroatoms) selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Unless otherwise defined, such heteroaryl groups typically contain from 5 to 10 total ring atoms. Representative heteroaryl groups include, by way of example, monovalent species of pyrrole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, furan, thiophene, triazole, pyrazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, triazine, indole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzimidazole, benzthiazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinazoline, quinoxaline and the like, where the point of attachment is at any available carbon or nitrogen ring atom.

The term “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic” means a monovalent saturated or unsaturated (non-aromatic) group having a single ring or multiple condensed rings and containing in the ring at least one heteroatom (typically 1 to 3 heteroatoms) selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Unless otherwise defined, such heterocyclic groups typically contain from 2 to 9 total ring carbon atoms. Representative heterocyclic groups include, by way of example, monovalent species of pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, piperidine, 1,4-dioxane, morpholine, thiomorpholine, piperazine, 3-pyrroline and the like, where the point of attachment is at any available carbon or nitrogen ring atom.

The term “overactive bladder” or “OAB” means a condition characterized symptomatically by urinary urge, urinary incontinence, increased frequency of urination, and/or nighttime urination and the like. The term “urinary urge” means a strong and sudden desire to void the bladder.

The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable salt” means a salt which is acceptable for administration to a patient, such as a mammal (e.g., salts having acceptable mammalian safety for a given dosage regime). Such salts can be derived from pharmaceutically-acceptable inorganic or organic bases and from pharmaceutically-acceptable inorganic or organic acids. Salts derived from pharmaceutically-acceptable inorganic bases include ammonium, calcium, copper, ferric, ferrous, lithium, magnesium, manganic, manganous, potassium, sodium, zinc and the like. Particularly preferred are ammonium, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium salts. Salts derived from pharmaceutically-acceptable organic bases include salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, including substituted amines, cyclic amines, naturally-occurring amines and the like, such as arginine, betaine, caffeine, choline, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, diethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-ethylmorpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, glucamine, glucosamine, histidine, hydrabamine, isopropylamine, lysine, methylglucamine, morpholine, piperazine, piperadine, polyamine resins, procaine, purines, theobromine, triethylamine, trimethylamine, tripropylamine, tromethamine and the like. Salts derived from pharmaceutically-acceptable acids include acetic, ascorbic, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, camphosulfonic, citric, ethanesulfonic, edisylic, fumaric, gentisic, gluconic, glucoronic, glutamic, hippuric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic, naphthalenesulfonic, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic, naphthalene-2,6-disulfonic, nicotinic, nitric, orotic, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric, succinic, sulfuric, tartaric, p-toluenesulfonic, xinafoic and the like. Particularly preferred are citric, hydrobromic, hydrochloric, isethionic, maleic, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic, phosphoric, sulfuric and tartaric acids.

The term “salt thereof” means a compound formed when the hydrogen of an acid is replaced by a cation, such as a metal cation or an organic cation and the like. Preferably, the salt is a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, although this is not required for salts of intermediate compounds which are not intended for administration to a patient.

The term “solvate” means a complex or aggregate formed by one or more molecules of a solute, i.e. a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and one or more molecules of a solvent. Such solvates are typically crystalline solids having a substantially fixed molar ratio of solute and solvent. Representative solvents include, by way of example, water, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetic acid and the like. When the solvent is water, the solvate formed is a hydrate.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount sufficient to effect treatment when administered to a patient in need of treatment.

The term “treating” or “treatment” as used herein means the treating or treatment of a disease or medical condition (such as overactive bladder) in a patient, such as a mammal (particularly a human or a companion animal) which includes:

-   -   (a) preventing the disease or medical condition from occurring,         i.e., prophylactic treatment of a patient;     -   (b) ameliorating the disease or medical condition, i.e.,         eliminating or causing regression of the disease or medical         condition in a patient;     -   (c) suppressing the disease or medical condition, i.e., slowing         or arresting the development of the disease or medical condition         in a patient; or     -   (d) alleviating the symptoms of the disease or medical condition         in a patient.

The term “leaving group” means a functional group or atom which can be displaced by another functional group or atom in a substitution reaction, such as a nucleophilic substitution reaction. By way of example, representative leaving groups include chloro, bromo and iodo groups; sulfonic ester groups, such as mesylate, tosylate, brosylate, nosylate and the like; and acyloxy groups, such as acetoxy, trifluoroacetoxy and the like.

The term “protected derivatives thereof” means a derivative of the specified compound in which one or more functional groups of the compound are protected from undesired reactions with a protecting or blocking group. Functional groups which may be protected include, by way of example, carboxylic acid groups, amino groups, hydroxyl groups, thiol groups, carbonyl groups and the like. Representative protecting groups for carboxylic acids include esters (such as p-methoxybenzyl ester), amides and hydrazides; for amino groups, carbamates (such as tert-butoxycarbonyl) and amides; for hydroxyl groups, ethers and esters; for thiol groups, thioethers and thioesters; for carbonyl groups, acetals and ketals; and the like. Such protecting groups are well-known to those skilled in the art and are described, for example, in T. W. Greene and G. M. Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Third Edition, Wiley, New York, 1999, and references cited therein.

The term “amino-protecting group” means a protecting group suitable for preventing undesired reactions at an amino group. Representative amino-protecting groups include, but are not limited to, tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC), trityl (Tr), benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz), 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), formyl, trimethylsilyl (TMS), tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS), and the like.

The term “carboxy-protecting group” means a protecting group suitable for preventing undesired reactions at a carboxy group. Representative carboxy-protecting groups include, but are not limited to, esters, such as methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, benzyl (Bn), p-methoxybenzyl (PMB), 9-fluoroenylmethyl (Fm), trimethylsilyl (TMS), tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS), diphenylmethyl (benzhydryl, DPM) and the like.

General Synthetic Procedures

The substituted 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds of this invention can be prepared from readily available starting materials using the following general methods and procedures. Although a particular embodiment of the present invention may be shown or described in the Schemes below, those skilled in the art will recognize that all embodiments or aspects of the present invention can be prepared using the methods described herein or by using other methods, reagents and starting materials known to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that where typical or preferred process conditions (i.e., reaction temperatures, times, mole ratios of reactants, solvents, pressures, etc.) are given, other process conditions can also be used unless otherwise stated. The optimum reaction conditions may vary with the particular reactants or solvent used, but such conditions can be readily determined by one skilled in the art by routine optimization procedures.

Additionally, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, conventional protecting groups may be necessary or desired to prevent certain functional groups from undergoing undesired reactions. The choice of a suitable protecting group for a particular functional group as well as suitable conditions for protection and deprotection of such functional groups are well known in the art. Protecting groups other than those illustrated in the procedures described herein may be used, if desired. For example, numerous protecting groups, and their introduction and removal, are described in T. W. Greene and G. M. Wuts, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, Third Edition, Wiley, New York, 1999, and references cited therein.

In a preferred method of synthesis, the compounds of formula I are prepared as illustrated in Scheme A (the substituents and variables shown in the following Schemes have the definitions provided herein unless otherwise indicated).

As shown in Scheme A, a compound of formula 1 is first reacted with alcohol 2 where L¹ is a suitable leaving group, such as bromo, iodo, tosyl, mesyl and the like, to provide intermediate 3. Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting 1 with at least one equivalent, preferably with about 1.0 to about 1.1 equivalents, of alcohol 2 in an inert diluent, such as acetonitrile and the like. This reaction is generally conducted in presence of excess base; preferably, in the presence of about 2 to about 4 equivalent of a base, such as a trialkylamine, preferably triethylamine. Typically, this reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 80° C., preferably about 40° C. to 50° C., for about 1 to 24 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. If desired, the resulting intermediate 3 is readily purified by standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

The alcohols of formula 2 used in this reaction are either commercially available or can be prepared from commercially available starting materials and reagents using well-known procedures. Representative alcohols of formula 2 include, by way of example, 7-chloro-1-heptanol, 8-chloro-1-octanol, 9-chloro-1-nonanol, 7-bromo-1-heptanol, 8-bromo-1-octanol, 9-bromo-1-nonanol, 7-iodo-1-heptanol, 8-iodo-1-octanol, 9-iodo-1-nonanol, 7-bromo-3-oxaheptan-1-ol, 7-bromo-4-oxaheptan-1-ol, 7-bromo-5-oxaheptan-1-ol, 8-bromo-3-oxaoctan-1-ol, 8-bromo-4-oxaoctan-1-ol, 8-bromo-5-oxaoctan-1-ol, 8-bromo-6-oxaoctan-1-ol, 8-bromo-3-oxaoctan-1-ol, 9-bromo-3-oxanonan-1-ol, 9-bromo-4-oxanonan-1-ol, 9-bromo-5-oxanonan-1-ol, 9-bromo-6-oxanonan-1-ol, 9-bromo-7-oxanonan-1-ol and the like.

The hydroxyl group of intermediate 3 is then oxidized to the corresponding aldehyde to provide intermediate 4. This reaction is typically conducted by contacting 3 with an excess amount of a suitable oxidizing agent. Any oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing a hydroxyl group to an aldehyde may be used in this reaction including chromium (VI) reagents, such as dipyridine chromium (VI) oxide, pyridinium chlorochromate, pyridinium dichromate and the like; and activated dimethyl sulfoxide reagents, such oxalyl chloride/DMSO, sulfur trioxide pyridine complex/DMSO/trialkylamine and the like.

Preferably, this reaction is conducted using an excess of sulfur trioxide pyridine complex and dimethyl sulfoxide in the presence of a trialkylamine, such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine and the like. Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting 3 with about 2.5 to about 3.5 equivalents of sulfur trioxide pyridine complex and an excess, preferably about 10 equivalents, of dimethyl sulfoxide in the presence of an excess, preferably about 5 equivalents, of diisopropylethylamine in an inert diluent, such as dichloromethane. This reaction is generally conducted at a temperature ranging from about −30° C. to about 0° C., preferably at about −10 to about −20° C., for about 0.25 to about 2 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. Optionally, the resulting aldehyde intermediate 4 is then purified using standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

Alternatively, aldehyde intermediate 4 can be prepared by first reacting 1 with a compound of the formula: L¹-(CH₂)_(a)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c-1)—CH(OR^(m))₂ or L¹-(CH₂)_(a)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c-1)—CH═CH₂ or OHC—(CH₂)_(a-1)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c-1)—CH(OR^(m))₂

wherein each L¹, R^(m), a, b and c are as defined herein. Ozonolysis of the resulting olefin (i.e., using O₃, followed by decomposition of the ozonide with a reducing agent, such as trimethyl phosphite, dimethyl sulfide and the like) then affords aldehyde 4. Alternatively, hydrolysis of the resulting acetal (i.e., using aqueous acid) also affords aldehyde 4.

Aldehyde intermediate 4 is then coupled with 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine intermediate 5 to afford a compound of formula 6. Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting aldehyde 4 with about 1.0 to about 1.2 equivalents of 5 in the presence of an excess, preferably about 1.2 to about 1.5 equivalent, of a suitable reducing agent in an inert diluent, such as dichloromethane. Suitable reducing agents include, by way of illustration, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride and the like. Preferably, the reducing agent is sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Generally, this reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 30° C. for about 6 to about 24 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. The resulting compound of formula 6 is typically purified using standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

If desired, alcohol 3 can also be oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acid using a strong oxidizing agent, such as chromic acid, permanganate, nitric acid and the like. The resulting carboxylic acid can then be coupled with 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine intermediate 5 to form an amide and the resulting amide reduced with a reducing agent, such as diisobutylaluminum hydride, to afford compound 6.

The compounds of formula 1 employed in the reactions described herein are readily prepared by the procedures illustrated in Scheme B.

As illustrated in Scheme B, diphenylacetonitrile 7 is reacted with intermediate 8 where L² is a suitable leaving group, such as chloro, bromo, iodo, tosyl, mesyl and the like, and P¹ is an amino-protecting group, such as benzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, 4-nitrobenzyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenylcarbonyl and the like, to provide intermediate 9. Typically, this reaction is conducted by first forming the anion of compound 7 by contacting 7 with excess, preferably about 1.4 to about 1.6 equivalents, of a strong base, such as potassium tert-butoxide, in an inert diluent, such as tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature ranging from about −10° C. to about 10° C. for about 0.5 to about 2.0 hours. The resulting anion is then reacted in situ with about 0.95 to about 1.05 equivalents of 8 at a temperature ranging from about 20° C. to about 50° C. for about 10 to about 48 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. Compounds of formula 8, where L² is a sulfonate ester leaving group, are readily prepared from the corresponding alcohol using conventional procedures and reagents. For example, (S)-1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinol is readily converted to (S)-1-benzyl-3-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)pyrrolidine by treatment with about 1.1 equivalents of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride and about 1.2 equivalents of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO). Other compounds of formula 8 can be prepared by similar procedures using commercially available starting materials and reagents.

Compound 9 is then deprotected using conventional procedures and reagents to afford compound 10. For example, if P¹ in compound 9 is a benzyl protecting group, the benzyl group is readily removed by transfer hydrogenolysis using a hydrogen source, such as ammonium formate, and a catalyst, such as palladium on carbon. Preferably, this reaction is conducted using the hydrochloride or hydrobromide salt of compound 9 or in the presence of an acid, such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, formic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid and the like. This hydrogenolysis reaction can also be conducted using hydrogen and a catalyst in the presence of an acid. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,119, issued Dec. 21, 1999 to N. Mori et al.

The nitrile group of compound 10 is then hydrolyzed to the corresponding amide (i.e., —C(O)NH₂) to provide a compound of formula 11. This reaction is typically conducted by contacting 10 with aqueous sulfuric acid, preferably 80% sulfuric acid, at a temperature ranging from about 70° C. to about 100° C., preferably about 90° C., for about 12 to about 36 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. As shown in Scheme B, hydrolysis of the nitrile group to the amide can also be performed before removal of the protecting group to afford 12, which can then be deprotected to provide compound 11.

If desired, the nitrile group of compound 9 or 10 can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding carboxylic acid (i.e., —COOH) using, for example, aqueous sodium hydroxide containing about 6 to about 12% hydrogen peroxide. The resulting carboxylic acid can then be coupled to various amines (i.e., R^(e)R^(e)NH, where R^(e) is as defined herein) to form substituted amides using well-known procedures and reagents.

The 4-aminopiperidine compounds of formula 5 used in the reactions described herein can be prepared by the procedures illustrated in Scheme C.

As shown in Scheme C, a compound of formula 13, where P² is an amino protecting group (such as benzyl), is first reductively alkylated with an aldehyde or ketone to provide a compound of formula 14. Compounds of formula 13 are either commercially available or can be prepared from commercially available starting materials using known reagents and procedures. A preferred compound of formula 13 is 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine which is commercially available from, for example, Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc.

Aldehydes and ketones suitable for use in this reaction include, by way of example, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, acetone, cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde, and the like.

Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting 13 with an excess, i.e., at least 1.1 equivalents of the aldehyde or ketone in the presence of an excess, preferably about 1.1 to about 1.3 equivalents, of a suitable reducing agent in an inert diluent, such as methanol. Suitable reducing agents include, by way of illustration, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride and the like. Preferably, the reducing agent is sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Generally, this reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 30° C. for about 1 to about 6 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. The resulting compound of formula 14 is typically purified using standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

The 4-amino group of the compound of formula 14 is then protected to provide a compound of formula 15, where P³ is an amino-protecting group. Preferably, P² and P³ are different protecting groups which are selected to allow P² to be selectively removed in the presence of P³. For example, when P² is a benzyl group, P³ is preferably a tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC); benzyloxycarbonyl (Cbz); or 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group; or the like. When P³ is a tert-butoxycarbonyl group, compound 15 is typically prepared by contacting 14 with about 1.0 to about 1.2 equivalents of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate in an inert diluent, such as dichloromethane. Typically, this reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 30° C. for about 6 to about 48 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete.

Compound 15 is then deprotected using standard procedures and reagents to afford compound 16. For example, when P² is a benzyl group, the protecting group is removed by hydrogenolysis using a catalyst, such as palladium on carbon. Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting 15 with hydrogen at a pressure ranging from about 40 to about 60 psi in the presence of a catalyst, such as 10% palladium on carbon. This reaction is generally conducted in an inert diluent, such as ethanol, at ambient temperature for about 12 to 48 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete.

Compound 16 is then coupled with aldehyde 17 under reductive alkylation conditions to provide compound 18. The aldehydes of formula 17 used in this reaction are commercially available or can be prepared from commercially available starting materials using known reagents and procedures. Representative aldehydes suitable for use in this reaction include, by way of example, 2-methoxybenzaldehyde; 2-difluoromethoxybenzaldehyde; 2-trifluoromethoxybenzaldehyde; 2-ethoxybenzaldehyde; 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde; 2,6-dimethoxybenzaldehyde; 2,6-diethoxybenzaldehyde; 2,6-difluoromethoxybenzaldehyde; 2-chloro-6-methoxybenzaldehyde; 2-fluoro-6-methoxybenzaldehyde; 2-isopropyl-6-methoxybenzaldehyde; 2,6-diisopropylbenzaldehyde; 2-methoxy-6-methylbenzaldehyde; and the like.

Typically, the coupling reaction is conducted by contacting 16 with about 0.9 to about 1.1 equivalents of 17 in an inert diluent, such as dichloromethane, at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 50° C., preferably at ambient temperature, for about 1 to about 6 hours. The resulting imine is typically not isolated, but is reacted in situ with an excess, preferably about 1.1 to about 1.3 equivalents, of a suitable reducing agent. Suitable reducing agents include, by way of example, sodium triacetoxyborohydride, sodium cyanoborohydride and the like. Preferably, the reducing agent is sodium triacetoxyborohydride. Generally, this reduction reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from about −10° C. to about 25° C. for about 0.5 to about 12 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. The resulting compound of formula 18 is typically purified using standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

Compound 18 is then deprotected using standard procedures and reagents to afford compound 5. For example, when P³ is a tert-butoxycarbonyl group, the protecting group is removed by treating 18 with aqueous hydrochloric acid in an inert diluent, such as dioxane. Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting 18 with concentrated hydrochloric acid in dioxane, initially at a temperature of about 0° C. to about 10° C. for about 0.25 to 1 hour, and then at ambient temperature for about 6 to about 24 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. The resulting compound of formula 5 is typically purified using standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

Alternatively, instead of coupling aldehyde 17 with 16, a carboxylic acid corresponding to 17 can be coupled to 16 using standard coupling reagents and reaction conditions to form an amide. The amide can then be reduced with a reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride, to form intermediate 5.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the synthetic steps illustrated in Schemes A, B and C can be conducted in a different order from that shown, or by using different reagents from those described, to produce the compounds of formula 6.

For example, intermediate 14 can be coupled to aldehyde 4 in place of compound 5 using the procedures described herein. After removal of the protecting group (i.e., P²) from the resulting intermediate, aldehyde 17 can be coupled to the piperidine nitrogen using the procedures described herein to afford compounds of formula 6.

Additionally, instead of oxidizing the hydroxyl group of intermediate 3 to an aldehyde, this hydroxyl group can be converted into a leaving group, such as a chloro, bromo, iodo, mesylate or tosylate, using conventional reagents and reaction procedures. The resulting leaving group is then readily displaced with 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine 5 to afford compound 6. Alternatively, this leaving group can also be displaced with intermediate 14 to provide compounds of formula 6 after deprotection and coupling to aldehyde 17 as described above.

Compounds of this invention can also be prepared by the procedure illustrated in Scheme D.

As shown in Scheme D, a compound of formula I is first coupled with an aldehyde of formula 19 to provide alkyne intermediate 20. This reaction is typically conducted by contacting 1 with about 1.1 to about 1.3 equivalents of 19 in the presence of a suitable reducing agent. Preferably, this reaction is conducted using about 1.0 to about 1.1 equivalents of sodium triacetoxyborohydride and about 1.0 equivalents of acetic acid. Typically, this reaction is conducted in an inert diluent, such as dichloromethane, at a temperature ranging from about 0° C. to about 50° C., preferably at ambient temperature, for about 0.25 to about 6 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete.

The aldehydes of formula 19 employed in this reaction are either commercially available or can be prepared from commercially available starting materials using standard reagents and procedures. Representative aldehydes suitable for use in this reaction include, by way of example, 5-hexyn-1-al, 6-heptyn-1-al, 7-octyn-1-al, 4-oxa-7-octyn-1-al and the like.

The alkyne intermediate of formula 20 is then coupled to 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine 5 using formaldehyde and a copper (1) catalyst to afford intermediate 24. Typically, the reaction is conducted by contacting 20 with about 1.05 to about 1.2 equivalents of 5 and about 1.2 to about 1.4 equivalents of paraformaldehyde in the presence of a catalytic amount, preferably about 0.2 equivalents, of a copper (f) salt, such as copper (I) chloride. Typically, the reaction is carried out in an inert diluent, such as tetrahydrofuran, at a temperature ranging from about 25° C. to about 75° C. for about 2 to about 24 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete.

The resulting intermediate of formula 21 is then reduced to provide a compound of formula 22. Preferably, this reduction is conducted by contacting 21 with excess, preferably with about 10 equivalents, of p-toluenesulfonhydrazide, and an excess, preferably about 20 equivalents, of sodium acetate. Typically, this reaction is conducted by contacting of a solution of 21 and p-toluenesulfon-hydrazide in an inert diluent, such as 1,2-dimethoxyethane, with an aqueous solution of sodium acetate at a temperature ranging from about 50° C. to about 100° C. for about 12 to about 48 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete. The resulting compound of formula 22 is typically purified using standard procedures, such as chromatography, recrystallization and the like.

Compounds of this invention can also be prepared by the procedure illustrated in Scheme E.

As shown in Scheme E, 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine 5 can be reacted with compound 23, where L³ is a leaving group, such as chloro or bromo, and P⁴ is a carboxy-protecting group, such as a methyl or ethyl; to provide amide intermediate 24. This reaction is typically conducted by contacting 5 with about 1.0 to about 1.2 equivalents of compound 23 in the presence of excess, preferably about 1.2 to about 2.0 equivalents of a trialkylamine, such as N,N-diisopropylethylamine. This reaction is typically conducted in an inert diluent, such as dichloromethane, at a temperature ranging from about −10° C. to about 25° C. for about 1 to about 24 hours or until the reaction is substantially complete.

Amide 24 is then reduced with a metal hydride reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride, to afford alcohol 25. This reaction is typically conducted by contacting 24 with excess metal hydride reducing agent, preferably with about 3 to about 5 equivalents of lithium aluminum hydride, in an inert diluent, such as tetrahydrofuran. This reduction is generally conducted at a temperature ranging from about −30° C. to about 10° C. for about 6 to about 24 hours, or until the reaction is substantially complete.

Using the procedures described herein above, alcohol 25 can then be oxidized to aldehyde 26, and 26 then coupled to intermediate 1 to afford compounds of formula 6. Alternatively, alcohol 25 can be converted into a leaving group, such as chloro, bromo, mesylate or tosylate, and then coupled to intermediate 1 using the procedures described herein above.

Further details regarding specific reaction conditions and other procedures for preparing representative compounds of this invention or intermediates thereto are described in the Examples set forth below.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The substituted 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds of this invention are typically administered to a patient in the form of a pharmaceutical composition. Such pharmaceutical compositions may be administered to the patient by any acceptable route of administration including, but not limited to, oral, rectal, vaginal, nasal, inhaled, topical (including transdermal) and parenteral modes of administration.

Accordingly, in one of its compositions aspects, this invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or excipient and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Optionally, such pharmaceutical compositions may contain other therapeutic and/or formulating agents if desired.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention typically contain a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. Typically, such pharmaceutical compositions will contain from about 0.1 to about 95% by weight of the active agent; preferably, from about 5 to about 70% by weight; and more preferably from about 10 to about 60% by weight of the active agent.

Any conventional carrier or excipient may be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention. The choice of a particular carrier or excipient, or combinations of carriers or excipients, will depend on the mode of administration being used to treat a particular patient or type of medical condition or disease state. In this regard, the preparation of a suitable pharmaceutical composition for a particular mode of administration is well within the scope of those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts. Additionally, the ingredients for such compositions are commercially-available from, for example, Sigma, P.O. Box 14508, St. Louis, Mo. 63178. By way of further illustration, conventional formulation techniques are described in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 20^(th) Edition, Lippincott Williams & White, Baltimore, Md. (2000); and H. C. Ansel et al., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems, 7^(th) Edition, Lippincott Williams & White, Baltimore, Md. (1999).

Representative examples of materials which can serve as pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; (2) starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; (3) cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; (4) powdered tragacanth; (5) malt; (6) gelatin; (7) talc; (8) excipients, such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; (9) oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and soybean oil; (10) glycols, such as propylene glycol; (11) polyols, such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; (12) esters, such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; (13) agar; (14) buffering agents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; (15) alginic acid; (16) pyrogen-free water; (17) isotonic saline; (18) Ringer's solution; (19) ethyl alcohol; (20) phosphate buffer solutions; and (21) other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceutical compositions.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are typically prepared by thoroughly and intimately mixing or blending a compound of the invention with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and one or more optional ingredients. If necessary or desired, the resulting uniformly blended mixture can then be shaped or loaded into tablets, capsules, pills and the like using conventional procedures and equipment.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are preferably packaged in a unit dosage form. The term “unit dosage form” means a physically discrete unit suitable for dosing a patient, i.e., each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active agent calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect either alone or in combination with one or more additional units. For example, such unit dosage forms may be capsules, tablets, pills, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are suitable for oral administration. Suitable pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration may be in the form of capsules, tablets, pills, lozenges, cachets, dragees, powders, granules; or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion; or as an elixir or syrup; and the like; each containing a predetermined amount of a compound of the present invention as an active ingredient.

When intended for oral administration in a solid dosage form (i.e., as capsules, tablets, pills and the like), the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will typically comprise a compound of the present invention as the active ingredient and one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers, such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate. Optionally or alternatively, such solid dosage forms may also comprise: (1) fillers or extenders, such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, and/or silicic acid; (2) binders, such as carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sucrose and/or acacia; (3) humectants, such as glycerol; (4) disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and/or sodium carbonate; (5) solution retarding agents, such as paraffin; (6) absorption accelerators, such as quaternary ammonium compounds; (7) wetting agents, such as cetyl alcohol and/or glycerol monostearate; (8) absorbents, such as kaolin and/or bentonite clay; (9) lubricants, such as talc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate, and/or mixtures thereof, (10) coloring agents; and (11) buffering agents.

Release agents, wetting agents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents, preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention. Examples of pharmaceutically-acceptable antioxidants include: (1) water-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteine hydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfate sodium sulfite and the like; (2) oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3) metal-chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like. Coating agents for tablets, capsules, pills and like, include those used for enteric coatings, such as cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, methacrylic acid-methacrylic acid ester copolymers, cellulose acetate trimellitate (CAT), carboxymethyl ethyl cellulose (CMEC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), and the like.

If desired, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also be formulated to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient using, by way of example, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose in varying proportions; or other polymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres.

In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may optionally contain opacifying agents and may be formulated so that they release the active ingredient only, or preferentially, in a certain portion of the gastrointestinal tract, optionally, in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can be used include polymeric substances and waxes. The active ingredient can also be in micro-encapsulated form, if appropriate, with one or more of the above-described excipients.

Suitable liquid dosage forms for oral administration include, by way of illustration, pharmaceutically-acceptable emulsions, microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. Such liquid dosage forms typically comprise the active ingredient and an inert diluent, such as, for example, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, oils (esp., cottonseed, groundnut, corn, germ, olive, castor and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Suspensions, in addition to the active ingredient, may contain suspending agents such as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylene sorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminum metahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixtures thereof.

In another preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are suitable for inhaled administration. Suitable pharmaceutical compositions for inhaled administration will typically be in the form of an aerosol or a powder. Such compositions are generally administered using well-known delivery devices, such as a metered-dose inhaler, a dry powder inhaler, a nebulizer or a similar delivery device.

When administered by inhalation using a pressurized container, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will typically comprise the active ingredient and a suitable propellant, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.

Additionally, the pharmaceutical composition may be in the form of a capsule or cartridge (made, for example, from gelatin) comprising a compound of this invention and a powder suitable for use in a powder inhaler. Suitable powder bases include, by way of example, lactose or starch.

The compounds of this invention can also be administered transdermally using known transdermal delivery systems and excipients. For example, a compound of this invention can be admixed with permeation enhancers, such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycolm monolaurate, azacycloalkan-2-ones and the like, and incorporated into a patch or similar delivery system. Additional excipients including gelling agents, emulsifiers and buffers, may be used in such transdermal compositions if desired.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also contain other therapeutic agents that are co-administered with a compound of formula I, or pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or solvate or stereoisomer thereof. For example, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may further comprise one or more therapeutic agents selected from β₂ or β₃ adrenergic receptor agonists, anti-inflammatory agents (e.g. corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. duloxetine), other muscarinic receptor antagonists (i.e., anticholinergic agents), antiinfective agents (e.g. antibiotics or antivirals) and antihistamines. The other therapeutic agents can be used in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates. Additionally, if appropriate, the other therapeutic agents can be used as optically pure stereoisomers.

The following formulations illustrate representative pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention:

Formulation Example A

Hard gelatin capsules for oral administration are prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 250 mg Lactose (spray-dried) 200 mg Magnesium stearate  10 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The ingredients are thoroughly blended         and then loaded into a hard gelatine capsule (460 mg of         composition per capsule).

Formulation Example B

Hard gelatin capsules for oral administration are prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 20 mg Starch 89 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 89 mg Magnesium stearate  2 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The ingredients are thoroughly blended         and then passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and loaded into         a hard gelatin capsule (200 mg of composition per capsule).

Formulation Example C

Capsules for oral administration are prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 100 mg Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate  50 mg Starch powder 250 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The ingredients are thoroughly blended         and then loaded into a gelatin capsule (300 mg of composition         per capsule).

Formulation Example D

Tablets for oral administration are prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention  10 mg Starch  45 mg Microcrystalline cellulose  35 mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone (10 wt. % in water)   4 mg Sodium carboxymethyl starch 4.5 mg Magnesium stearate 0.5 mg Talc   1 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The active ingredient, starch and         cellulose are passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed         thoroughly. The solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone is mixed with         the resulting powders, and this mixture is then passed through a         No. 14 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at         50-60° C. and passed through a No. 18 mesh U.S. sieve. The         sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate and talc         (previously passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve) are then         added to the granules. After mixing, the mixture is compressed         on a tablet machine to afford a tablet weighing 100 mg.

Formulation Example E

Tablets for oral administration are prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 250 mg Microcrystalline cellulose 400 mg Silicon dioxide fumed  10 mg Stearic acid  5 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The ingredients are thoroughly blended         and then compressed to form tablets (665 mg of composition per         tablet).

Formulation Example F

Single-scored tablets for oral administration are prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 400 mg Cornstarch  50 mg Croscarmellose sodium  25 mg Lactose 120 mg Magnesium stearate  5 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The ingredients are thoroughly blended         and compressed to form a single-scored tablet (600 mg of         compositions per tablet).

Formulation Example G

A suspension for oral administration is prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 1.0 g Fumaric acid 0.5 g Sodium chloride 2.0 g Methyl paraben 0.15 g Propyl paraben 0.05 g Granulated sugar 25.5 g Sorbitol (70% solution) 12.85 g Veegum k (Vanderbilt Co.) 1.0 g Flavoring 0.035 mL Colorings 0.5 mg Distilled water q.s. to 100 mL

-   -   Representative Procedure: The ingredients are mixed to form a         suspension containing 100 mg of active ingredient per 10 mL of         suspension.

Formulation Example H

A dry powder for administration by inhalation is prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 1.0 mg Lactose  25 mg

-   -   Representative Procedure: The active ingredient is micronized         and then blended with lactose. This blended mixture is then         loaded into a gelatin inhalation cartridge. The contents of the         cartridge are administered using a powder inhaler.

Formulation Example I

A dry powder for administration by inhalation in a metered dose inhaler is prepared as follows:

Representative Procedure: A suspension containing 5 wt. % of a compound of the invention and 0.1 wt. % lecithin is prepared by dispersing 10 g of active compound as micronized particles with mean size less than 10 μm in a solution formed from 0.2 g of lecithin dissolved in 200 mL of demineralized water. The suspension is spray dried and the resulting material is micronized to particles having a mean diameter less than 1.5 μm. The particles are loaded into cartridges with pressurized 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane.

Formulation Example J

An injectable formulation is prepared as follows:

Ingredients Amount Compound of the invention 0.2 g Sodium acetate buffer solution (0.4 M) 2.0 mL HCl (0.5 N) or NaOH (0.5 N) q.s. to pH 4 Water (distilled, sterile) q.s. to 20 mL

-   -   Representative Procedure: The above ingredients are blended and         the pH is adjusted to 4±0.5 using 0.5 N HCl or 0.5 N NaOH.         Utility

The substituted 4-amino-1-benzylpiperidine and related compounds of this invention are useful as muscarinic receptor antagonists and therefore, such compounds are useful for treating medical conditions mediated by muscarinic receptors, i.e., medical conditions which are ameliorated by treatment with a muscarinic receptor antagonist. Such medical conditions include, by way of example, genitourinary tract disorders, such as overactive bladder or detrusor hyperactivity and their symptoms; gastrointestinal tract disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, achalasia, gastrointestinal hypermotility disorders and diarrhea; respiratory tract disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and pulmonary fibrosis; cardiac arrhythmias, such as sinus bradycardia; Parkinson's disease; cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease; dismenorrhea; and the like.

In particular, the compounds of this invention are useful for treating smooth muscle disorders in mammals, including humans. Such smooth muscle disorders include, by way of illustration, overactive bladder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and irritable bowel syndrome.

When used to treat smooth muscle disorders or other conditions mediated by muscarinic receptors, the compounds of this invention will typically be administered orally, rectally, parenterally or by inhalation in a single daily dose or in multiple doses per day. The amount of active agent administered per dose or the total amount administered per day will typically be determined by the patient's physician and will depend on such factors as the nature and severity of the patients condition, the condition being treated, the age and general health of the patient, the tolerance of the patient to the active agent, the route of administration and the like.

Typically, suitable doses for treating smooth muscle disorders or other disorders mediated by muscarinic receptors will range from about 0.01 to about 50 mg/kg/day of active agent; preferably from about 0.02 to about 10 mg/kg/day. For an average 70 kg human, this would amount to about 0.7 to about 3500 mg per day of active agent.

In a preferred embodiment, the compounds of this invention are used to treat overactive bladder. When used to treat overactive bladder, the compounds of this invention will typically be administered orally in a single daily dose or in multiple doses per day; preferably in a single daily dose. Preferably, the dose for treating overactive bladder will range from about 1.0 to about 2000 mg/day.

In another preferred embodiment, the compounds of this invention are used to treat a respiratory disorder, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. When used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, the compounds of this invention will typically be administered by inhalation in a single daily dose or in multiple doses per day. Preferably, the dose for treating asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will range from about 10 μg/day to about 10 mg/day.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the compounds of this invention are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. When used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, the compounds of this invention will typically be administered orally or rectally in a single daily dose or in multiple doses per day. Preferably, the dose for treating irritable bowel syndrome will range from about 1.0 to about 2000 mg/day.

If desired, the compounds of this invention can be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents including one or more therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting of β₂ or β₃ adrenergic receptor agonists, anti-inflammatory agents (e.g. corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g. duloxetine), other muscarinic receptor antagonists (i.e., anticholinergic agents), antiinfective agents (e.g. antibiotics or antivirals), antihistamines and other therapeutic agents, such as cromylin sodium or theophylline.

Representative β₂ adrenergic receptor agonists that can be used in combination with the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, salmeterol, salbutamol, formoterol, salmefamol, fenoterol, terbutaline, albuterol, isoetharine, metaproterenol, bitolterol, pirbuterol, levalbuterol and the like, or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. Other β₂ adrenergic receptor agonists that can be used in combination with the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, 3-(4-{[6-({(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-phenyl]ethyl}amino)hexyl]oxy}butyl)benzenesulfonamide and 3-(−3-{[7-({(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]ethyl}amino)heptyl]oxy}-propyl)benzenesulfonamide and related compounds disclosed in WO 02/066422, published on Aug. 29, 2002; 3-[3-(4-{[6-([(2R)-2-hydroxy-2-[4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl]ethyl}amino)hexyl]oxy}butyl)phenyl]imidazolidine-2,4-dione and related compounds disclosed in WO 02/070490, published Sep. 12, 2002; 3-(4-{[6-({(2R)-2-[3-(formylamino)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}amino)hexyl]oxy}butyl)benzenesulfonamide, 3-(4-{[6-({(2S)-2-[3-(formylamino)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}amino)hexyl]oxy}butyl)-benzenesulfonamide, 3-(4-{[6-({(2R/S)-2-[3-(formylamino)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}amino)hexyl]oxy}butyl)benzenesulfonamide, N-(tert-butyl)-3-(4-{[6-({(2R)-2-[3-(formylamino)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}amino)hexyl]-oxy}butyl)benzenesulfonamide, N-(tert-butyl)-3-(4-{[6-({(2S)-2-[3-(formylamino)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}amino)hexyl]oxy}butyl)-benzenesulfonamide, N-(tert-butyl)-3-(4-{[6-({(2R/S)-2-[3-(formylamino)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxyethyl}amino)hexyl]-oxy}butyl)benzenesulfonamide and related compounds disclosed in WO 02/076933, published on Oct. 3, 2002; 4-{(1R)-2-[(6-{2-[(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)oxy]ethoxy}hexyl)amino]-1-hydroxyethyl}-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol and related compounds disclosed in WO 03/024439, published on Mar. 27, 2003; and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. When employed, the β₂-adrenoreceptor agonist will be present in the pharmaceutical composition in a therapeutically effective amount. Typically, the β₂-adrenoreceptor agonist will be present in an amount sufficient to provide from about 0.05 μg to about 500 μg per dose.

Representative corticosteroids that can be used in combination with the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, methyl prednisolone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, fluticasone propionate, 6α,9α-difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioic acid S-fluoromethyl ester, 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-propionyloxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioic acid S-(2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3S-yl) ester, beclomethasone esters (e.g. the 17-propionate ester or the 17,21-dipropionate ester), budesonide, flunisolide, mometasone esters (e.g. the furoate ester), triamcinolone acetonide, rofleponide, ciclesonide, butixocort propionate, RPR-106541, ST-126 and the like, or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. When employed, the corticosteriod will be present in the pharmaceutical composition in a therapeutically effective amount. Typically, the steroidal anti-inflammatory agent will be present in an amount sufficient to provide from about 0.05 μg to about 500 μg per dose.

Other suitable combinations include, for example, other anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., NSAIDs (such as sodium cromoglycate; nedocromil sodium; phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (e.g. theophylline, PDE4 inhibitors or mixed PDE3/PDE4 inhibitors); leukotriene antagonists (e.g. monteleukast); inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis; iNOS inhibitors; protease inhibitors, such as tryptase and elastase inhibitors; beta-2 integrin antagonists and adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists (e.g. adenosine 2a agonists); cytokine antagonists (e.g. chemokine antagonists such as, an interleukin antibody (αIL antibody), specifically, an αIL-4 therapy, an αIL-13 therapy, or a combination thereof); or inhibitors of cytokine synthesis.

For example, representative phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors or mixed PDE3/PDE4 inhibitors that can be used in combination with the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to cis 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-carboxylic acid, 2-carbomethoxy-4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one; cis-[4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-difluoromethoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-ol]; cis-4-cyano-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid and the like, or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof. Other representative PDE4 or mixed PDE4/PDE3 inhibitors include AWD-12-281 (elbion); NCS-613 (INSERM); D-4418 (Chiroscience and Schering-Plough); CI-1018 or PD-168787 (Pfizer); benzodioxole compounds disclosed in WO99/16766 (Kyowa Hakko); K-34 (Kyowa Hakko); V-11294A (Napp); roflumilast (Byk-Gulden); pthalazinone compounds disclosed in WO99/47505 (Byk-Gulden); Pumafentrine (Byk-Gulden, now Altana); arofylline (Almirall-Prodesfarma); VM554/UM565 (Vernalis); T-440 (Tanabe Seiyaku); and T2585 (Tanabe Seiyaku).

Representative muscarinic antagonists (i.e., anticholinergic agents) that can be used in combination with, and in addition to, the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, atropine, atropine sulfate, atropine oxide, methylatropine nitrate, homatropine hydrobromide, hyoscyamine (d, l) hydrobromide, scopolamine hydrobromide, ipratropium bromide, oxitropium bromide, tiotropium bromide, methantheline, propantheline bromide, anisotropine methyl bromide, clidinium bromide, copyrrolate (Robinul), isopropamide iodide, mepenzolate bromide, tridihexethyl chloride (Pathilone), hexocyclium methylsulfate, cyclopentolate hydrochloride, tropicamide, trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride, pirenzepine, telenzepine, AF-DX 116 and methoctramine and the like, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, or, for those compounds listed as a salt, alternate pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Representative antihistamines (i.e., H₁-receptor antagonists) that can be used in combination with the compounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, ethanolamines, such as carbinoxamine maleate, clemastine fumarate, diphenylhydramine hydrochloride and dimenhydrinate; ethylenediamines, such as pyrilamine amleate, tripelennamine hydrochloride and tripelennamine citrate; alkylamines, such as chlorpheniramine and acrivastine; piperazines, such as hydroxyzine hydrochloride, hydroxyzine pamoate, cyclizine hydrochloride, cyclizine lactate, meclizine hydrochloride and cetirizine hydrochloride; piperidines, such as astemizole, levocabastine hydrochloride, loratadine or its descarboethoxy analogue, terfenadine and fexofenadine hydrochloride; azelastine hydrochloride; and the like, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof; or, for those compounds listed as a salt, alternate pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Suitable doses for the other therapeutic agents administered in combination with a compound of the invention are in the range of about 0.05 μg/day to about 100 mg/day.

Since compounds of this invention are muscarinic receptor antagonists, such compounds are also useful as research tools for investigating or studying biological systems or samples having muscarinic receptors, or for discovering new muscarinic receptor antagonists. Such biological systems or samples may comprise M₁, M₂, M₃, M₄ and/or M₅ muscarinic receptors. Moreover, since compounds of this invention are selective M₂ muscarinic receptor subtype antagonists, such compounds are particularly useful for studying the effects of selective antagonism of M₂ receptors in a biological system or sample. Any suitable biological system or sample having muscarinic receptors may be employed in such studies which may be conducted either in vitro or in vivo. Representative biological systems or samples suitable for such studies include, but are not limited to, cells, cellular extracts, plasma membranes, tissue samples, mammals (such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, pigs, etc.), and the like.

In this embodiment, a biological system or sample comprising a muscarinic receptor is contacted with a muscarinic receptor-antagonizing amount of a compound of this invention. The effects of antagonizing the muscarinic receptor are then determined using conventional procedures and equipment, such as radioligand binding assays and functional assays. Such functional assays include ligand-mediated changes in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), ligand-mediated changes in activity of the enzyme adenylyl cyclase (which synthesizes cAMP), ligand-mediated changes in incorporation of guanosine 5′-O-(γ-thio)triphosphate ([³⁵S]GTPγS) into isolated membranes via receptor catalyzed exchange of [³⁵S]GTPγS for GDP, ligand-mediated changes in free intracellular calcium ions (measured, for example, with a fluorescence-linked imaging plate reader or FLIPR® from Molecular Devices, Inc.). A compound of this invention will antagonize or decrease the activation of muscarinic receptors in any of the functional assays listed above, or assays of a similar nature. A muscarinic receptor-antagonizing amount of a compound of this invention will typically range from about 0.1 nanomolar to about 100 nanomolar.

Additionally, the compounds of this invention can be used as research tools for discovering new muscarinic receptor antagonists. In this embodiment, muscarinic receptor binding data (for example, as determined by an in vitro radioligand displacement assay) for a test compound or a group of test compounds is compared to the muscarinic binding data for a compound of this invention to identify test compounds that have about equal or superior muscarinic receptor binding, if any. This aspect of the invention includes, as separate embodiments, both the generation of comparison data (using the appropriate assay) and the analysis of the test data to identify test compounds of interest.

Among other properties, compounds of this invention have been found to be potent inhibitors of M₂ muscarinic receptor activity. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, this invention is directed to compounds of formula I having an inhibition dissociation constant for the M₂ receptor subtype of less than or equal to 100 nM; preferably, less than or equal to 50 nM; and more preferably, less than or equal to 10 nM (as determined by in vitro radioligand displacement assays).

Additionally, compounds of this invention have also been found to possess surprising and unexpected selectivity for the M₂ muscarinic receptor relative to the M₃ muscarinic receptor. Accordingly, in another preferred embodiment, this invention is directed to compounds of formula I having an hM₃/hM₂ ratio of at least 5; preferably at least 10; and more preferably at least 20 (as determined by in vitro radioligand displacement assays). In one embodiment, the hM₃/hM₂ ratio is in the range of from about 5 to about 200; preferably, from about 10 to about 100.

These properties, as well as the utility of the compounds of this invention, can be demonstrated using various in vitro and in vivo assays well-known to those skilled in the art. For example, representative assays are described in further detail in the following Examples.

EXAMPLES

The following synthetic and biological examples are offered to illustrate this invention and are not to be construed in any way as limiting the scope of this invention. In the examples below, the following abbreviations have the following meanings unless otherwise indicated. Abbreviations not defined below have their generally accepted meaning.

-   -   AC=adenylyl cyclase     -   ACN=acetonitrile     -   BSA=bovine serum albumin     -   BOC=tert-butoxycarbonyl     -   cAMP=cyclic adenosine monophosphate     -   CHO=Chinese hampster ovary     -   cpm=counts per minute     -   DCM=dichloromethane     -   DIPEA diisopropylethylamine     -   DME=ethylene glycol dimethyl ether     -   DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide     -   DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide     -   dPBS=Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline, without CaCl₂ and         MgCl     -   EDC=1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodimide hydrochloride     -   EDTA=ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid     -   EtOAc=ethyl acetate     -   FBS=fetal bovine serum     -   GDP=guanosine 5′-diphosphate     -   HEPES=4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-ethanesulfonic acid     -   hM₁=human muscarinic receptor subtype 1     -   hM₂=human muscarinic receptor subtype 2     -   hM₃=human muscarinic receptor subtype 3     -   hM₄=human muscarinic receptor subtype 4     -   hM₅=human muscarinic receptor subtype 5     -   HOAt=1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole     -   HPLC=high performance liquid chromatography     -   K_(i)=inhibition dissociation constant     -   MS=mass spectrometry     -   [³H]NMS=1-[N-methyl-3H]scopolamine methyl chloride     -   OIS=oxotremorine-induced salivation     -   PMB=p-methoxybenzyl     -   PyBOP=benzotriazol-1-yloxytripyrrolidino-phosphonium         hexafluorophosphate     -   THF=tetrahydrofuran     -   TLC=thin layer chromatography     -   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid     -   VRBC=volume-induced bladder contraction     -   VIBC_(Amp)=volume-induced bladder contraction amplitude

All temperatures reported in the following examples are in degrees Celsius (° C.) unless otherwise indicated. Also, unless noted otherwise, reagents, starting materials and solvents were purchased from commercial suppliers (such as Aldrich, Fluka, Sigma and the like) and were used without further purification.

HPLC was conducted using the following conditions where indicated:

HPLC Method A:

Column: Agilent Zorbax ® Bonus-RP 5μ 4.6 × 250 mm Detector Wavelength: 214 nm Column Temperature: 40° C. Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min Solvent System: A = 2% acetonitrile, 98% water, 0.1% TFA B = 90% acetonitrile, 10% water, 0.1% TFA Injection Volume: 5 μL Run Time: 62 min Gradient: 2-40% B in A HPLC Method B:

Column: YMC ODSA 5μ C18 4.6 × 50 mm Detector Wavelength: 220 nm Column Temperature: 35° C. Flow Rate: 4.0 mL/min Solvent System: A = 10% methanol, 90% water, 0.1% TFA B = 90% methanol, 10% water, 0.1% TFA Injection Volume: 5 μL Run Time: 5 min Gradient: 0-100% B in A HPLC Method C:

Column: Inertsil ODS-2 C18 Detector Wavelength: 254 nm Column Temperature: 35° C. Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min Solvent System: A = 5% methanol, 95% water, 0.1% TFA B = 95% methanol, 5% water, 0.1% TFA Injection Volume: 5 μL Run Time: 15 min Gradient: 0-100% B in A

Example A Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine Step A—Preparation of (S)-1-Benzyl-3-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)pyrrolidine

To a stirred solution of (S)-1-benzyl-3-pyrrolidinol (44.3 g, 0.25 mol) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (33.7 g, 0.3 mol) in 250 mL of tert-butyl methyl ether under an atmosphere of nitrogen at 0° C., was added p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (52.4 g, 0.275 mol) portion-wise over 20 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was stirred at ambient temperature overnight (20±5 h). Ethyl acetate (100 mL) was added, followed by saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (250 mL). The resulting mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution (250 mL); saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution (250 mL); saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution (250 mL); and then dried over sodium sulfate (80 g). The sodium sulfate was filtered off and washed with ethyl acetate (20 mL) and the solvent was removed in vacuo to give 78.2 g of the title intermediate as an off-white solid (94% yield; 95% purity by HPLC Method B).

Step B—Preparation of (S)-1-Benzyl-3-(1-cyano-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-pyrrolidine

To a stirred solution of diphenylacetonitrile (12.18 g, 61.8 mmol) in anhydrous THF (120 mL) at 0° C., potassium tert-butoxide (10.60 g, 94.6 mmol) was added over 5 min. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h. To the reaction mixture at 0° C. was added (S)-1-benzyl-3-(p-toluenesulfonyloxy)-pyrrolidine (20.48 g, 61.3 mmol) in one portion. The cold bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred for 5-10 min at which time the reaction mixture had become a brown homogeneous solution. The reaction mixture was then heated at 40° C. overnight (20±5 h). The reaction mixture (bright yellow suspension) was allowed to cool to room temperature before adding water (150 mL). Most of the THF was then removed in vacuo and isopropyl acetate (200 mL) was added. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with saturated aqueous ammonium chloride solution (150 mL); saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution (150 mL); and then dried over sodium sulfate (50 g). The sodium sulfate was filtered off and washed with isopropyl acetate (20 mL) and the solvent was removed in vacuo to give 23.88 g of the title intermediate as a light brown oil (>99% yield, 75% purity by HPLC Method B, contaminated mainly with excess diphenylacetonitrile).

Step C—Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Cyano-1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine

(S)-1-Benzyl-3-(1-cyano-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine was dissolved in isopropyl acetate (ca. 1 g/10 mL) and the solution was mixed with an equal volume of 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid. The resulting layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with an equal volume of isopropyl acetate. The organic layers were combined, dried over sodium sulfate and filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford (S)-1-benzyl-3-(1-cyano-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine hydrochloride as a light yellow foamy solid. (Note: This hydrochloride salt can also be prepared during the work-up of Step B).

To a stirred solution of (S)-1-benzyl-3-(1-cyano-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine hydrochloride (8.55 g, 21.98 mmol) in methanol (44 mL) was added palladium on carbon (1.71 g) and ammonium formate (6.93 g, 109.9 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. with stirring for 3 h. The reaction was cooled to ambient temperature and water (20 mL) was added. The resulting mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite, washing with methanol (20 mL). The filtrate was collected and most of the methanol was removed in vacuo. The residue was mixed with isopropyl acetate (100 mL) and 10% aqueous sodium carbonate (50 mL). The resulting layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with isopropyl acetate (50 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried over sodium sulfate (20 g). The sodium sulfate was filtered off and washed with isopropyl acetate (20 mL). The solvent was removed in vacuo to afford 5.75 g of the title intermediate as a light yellow oil (99.7% yield, 71% purity by HPLC).

Step D—Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-pyrrolidine

A 200 mL flask with a magnetic stir bar and a nitrogen inlet was charged with (S)-3-(1-cyano-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (2.51 g) and 80% H₂SO₄ (19.2 mL; pre-prepared with 16 mL of 96% H₂SO₄ and 3.2 mL of H₂O). The reaction mixture was then heated at 90° C. for 24 h or until starting material was consumed as indicated by HPLC. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature and then poured onto ice (ca. 50 mL by volume). A 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added slowly to the mixture with stirring over an ice bath until the pH was about 12. Dichloromethane (200 mL) was added and mixed with the aqueous solution at which time sodium sulfate precipitated out and was filtered off. The filtrate was collected and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (100 mL) and the organic layers were combined and dried with over sodium sulfate (5 g). The sodium sulfate was filtered off and washed with dichloromethane (10 mL). The solvent was removed in vacuo to give the crude product as a light yellow foamy solid (ca. 2.2 g, 86% purity by HPLC).

The crude product was dissolved in ethanol (18 mL) with stirring. To this solution was added a warm solution of L-tartaric acid (1.8 g) in ethanol (14 mL) and the resulting mixture was stirred overnight (15±5 h). The resulting precipitate was isolated by filtration to give an off-white solid (ca. 3.2 g, >95% purity by HPLC). Methanol (15 mL) was added to this solid and the resulting slurry was stirred at 70° C. overnight (15 h). The slurry was allowed to cool to ambient temperature and a white solid (˜2.6 g, >99% purity by HPLC) was obtained after filtration. To this solid was added ethyl acetate (30 mL) and 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide (25 mL). This mixture was mixed until two distinct layers formed and then the layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (20 mL). The organic layers were combined and dried over sodium sulfate (10 g). The sodium sulfate was removed by filtration and the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to afford 1.55 g of the title intermediate as an off-white foamy solid (58% yield; >99% purity by HPLC Method C).

Example B Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-hydroxyhept-1-yl)pyrrolidine

To a stirred solution of (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (40 g, 142.7 mmol) and triethylamine (59.6 mL, 428 mmol) in acetonitrile (1.1 L) at 40° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere was added 7-bromo-1-heptanol (24 mL, 146 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) dropwise. The reaction mixture was heated to 50° C. for 9 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool before removing the solvent under reduced pressure. The crude residue was dissolved in dichloromethane (500 mL) and the organic layer washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (2×300 mL), followed by water (300 mL) and saturated aqueous sodium chloride (300 mL), and then dried over magnesium sulfate (10 g). The magnesium sulfate was filtered off and washed with dichloromethane (100 mL). The solvent was then removed in vacuo to give the crude product which was purified on a short column (SiO₂) by varying the eluant from 19:1:0.1 to 3:1:0.1 CH₂Cl₂/MeOH/NH₄OH to give 31.35 g of the title intermediate as a white solid (56% yield; >95% purity by HPLC Method A).

Example C Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-oxohept-1-yl)pyrrolidine

To a stirred solution of (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-hydroxyhept-1-yl)pyrrolidine (31.00 g, 78.57 mmol); N,N-diisopropylethylamine (68.4 mL, 392.8 mmol); and methyl sulfoxide (60.7 mL, 785.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (780 mL) under an atmosphere of nitrogen at −15° C., was added sulfur trioxide pyridine complex (37.5 g, 235.71 mmol) portion-wise over a 40 min. period. The reaction mixture was maintained between −10° C. and −20° C. during the addition. The reaction was then stirred in this temperature range for 40±10 min. Deionized water (300 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes. The organic layer was separated and washed with deionized water (200 mL), followed by saturated aqueous sodium chloride (200 mL) and the organic layer was then dried with magnesium sulfate (10 g). The magnesium sulfate was filtered off and washed with dichloromethane (50 mL) and the solvent was reduced in vacuo. The resultant syrup was washed with petroleum ether (2×200 mL) to remove the remaining pyridine and DMSO and the resulting white solid was dried in vacuo to give 33.02 g of the title intermediate (98% yield; >93% purity by chiral HPLC Method A).

Example D Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(hex-5-yn-1-yl)pyrrolidine Step A—Preparation of Hex-5-yn-1-al

To a stirred solution of 5-hexyn-1-ol (10.0 g, 0.10 mol) stirring in dichloromethane (1 L) under an atmosphere of nitrogen, was added DMSO (71 mL, 1.0 mol) followed by DIPEA (174 mL, 1.0 mol). The reaction mixture was cooled to −15° C. and sulfur trioxide pyridine complex (79.6 g, 0.5 mol) was added in 10 g portions over 60 mins. The reaction mixture was stirred at −15° C. for 1 hour before examining by TLC (30% EtOAc/Hexane) to observe for complete consumption of the starting material. To the reaction mixture was added 1 N aqueous hydrochloric acid (1 L), and the organic layer was separated and washed with 1 N aqueous hydrochloric acid (3×500 mL), saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate (500 mL), brine (1 L), dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent reduced in vacuo to afford the title intermediate (NOTE: Product is volatile, use cold water bath and remove when solvent evaporated).

Step B—Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(hex-5-yn-1-yl)pyrrolidine

To a stirred solution of (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (64.4 g, 0.23 mol); sodium triacetoxyborohydride (50.9 g, 0.24 mol) and acetic acid (13 mL, 0.23 mol) in dichloromethane (511 mL) at room temperature, was added a solution of hex-5-yn-1-al (26.14 g, 0.27 mol) in dichloromethane (256 mL). The reaction mixture stirred at room temperature overnight (ca. 8 hours) and then the reaction mixture was quenched by addition of concentrated hydrochloric acid (30 mL) and stirring was continued for 1 hour at room temperature. The mixture was then diluted with water (750 mL) and made basic to pH 5 using 10 N sodium hydroxide (18 mL). The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide (200 mL). The organic layer was dried over magnesium sulfate (10 g); filtered and then concentrated in vacuo to afford 67.6 g of the title intermediate as a yellow gummy solid (83% yield).

Example E Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}piperidine Step A—Preparation of 3-(3-Bromopropoxy)propionic Acid

To a flask was added 3-bromopropanol (25 mL, 0.28 mol) and β-propiolactone (5.0 mL, 0.07 mol) and the resulting mixture was heated to 80° C. for 14 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and the excess 3-bromopropanol was removed under reduced pressure. The crude product was dissolved in dichloromethane (300 mL) and extracted with 1 N sodium hydroxide (300 mL). The aqueous layer was then acidified to pH 2 and extracted with dichloromethane (300 mL). The organic layer was then washed with water (200 mL), brine (200 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give 9.4 g of the title intermediate, which was used without further purification (64% yield).

Analytical Data: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 3.65 (t, 2H), 3.52 (t, 2H), 3.41 (t, 2H), 2.55 (t, 2H), 2.11 (t, 2H).

Step B—Preparation of 3-(3-Bromopropoxy)propionyl Chloride

To a stirred solution of 3-(3-bromopropoxy)propionic acid (15.2 g, 72.2 mmol) in CCl₄ (250 mL) was added SOCl₂ (5.5 mL, 76.0 mmol) and DMF (20 drops) and the reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 18 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title intermediate, which was used without further purification.

Step C—Preparation of N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 3-(bromopropoxy)propionamide

The crude 3-(3-bromopropoxy)propionyl chloride from Step B was dissolved in dichloromethane (250 mL) and added dropwise to a solution of 1-benzyl-4-(isopropylamino)piperidine (16.7 g, 72 mmol) and diisopropylamine (11.8 mL, 86.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (300 mL) at 0° C. The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 mins and then at room temperature for 2 hrs. The reaction mixture was then washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo to give 29.0 g of the title intermediate (95% yield for Steps B and C).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 425.3 (MH⁺).

Step D—Preparation of 4-[N-(7-Bromo-4-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine

To a stirred solution of N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 3-(bromopropoxy)propionamide (28.2 g, 66 mmol) in THF (300 mL) was added BH₃-THF (100 mL, 2.0 M in THF, 200 mmol) and the reaction mixture was refluxed for 48 h. The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool to room temperature and methanol was added dropwise until evolution of hydrogen gas stopped. The mixture was then concentrated under reduced pressure and dissolved in dichloromethane (500 mL). The reaction mixture was washed with 1 N hydrochloric acid (500 mL) and the organic layer removed. The aqueous layer was then made basic to pH 12 using 1 N sodium hydroxide and extracted with dichloromethane (500 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with water (400 mL), brine (400 mL), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed under reduced pressure. The resulting crude product was purified by silica gel chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol/aqueous ammonia: 9/0.5/0.05) to afford 20.5 g of the title intermediate (76% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 411.4 (MH⁺).

Step E—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

4-[N-(7-Bromo-4-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine (6.0 g, 15 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (100 mL) and 4-methyl-2-pentanone (300 mL). To this mixture was added sodium carbonate (3.2 g, 30 mmol), 3-(S)-1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (4.91 g, 18 mmol) and potassium iodide (250 mg, 1.5 mmol) and the resulting mixture was heated to 110° C. for 21 h. Upon completion, the reaction was brought to room temperature, concentrated under reduced pressure and the crude product purified by silica gel chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol/aqueous ammonia: 9/1/0.1) to afford 6.21 g of the title intermediate (56% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 611.7 (MH⁺).

Step F—Preparation of 4-[N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino]piperidine

To a stirred solution of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine (9.3 g, 15.0 mmol) in acetic acid (100 mL) was added Pd(OH)₂ on carbon (0.90 g, 10% wt/wt) and Pd on carbon (0.90 g, 10% wt/wt). The reaction vessel was then evacuated and filled with hydrogen gas (3 times). The reaction mixture was allowed to stir at room temperature for 16 h and then flushed with nitrogen gas. The catalysts were removed by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 7.18 g of the title intermediate, which was used without further purification (92% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 521.3 (MH⁺).

Example F Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}piperidine Step A—Preparation of N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 2-Chloroacetamide

To a mixture of 1-benzyl-4-(isopropylamino)piperidine (8 g, 34.45 mmol) and DIPEA (7.2 mL, 41.3 mmol) in 200 mL of dichloromethane was added dropwise a solution of 2-chloroacetyl chloride (3.01 mL, 37.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (400 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min and then at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue was purified by flash column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane/triethylamine: 42.5/56.5/1) to give 5.35 g of the title intermediate as a viscous oil (50% yield).

Analytical Data: MS: 309 (MH⁺).

Step B—Preparation of N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 2-(4-Hydroxybut-1-oxy)acetamide

1,4-Butanediol (16 mL, 178 mmol) was refluxed with sodium hydroxide (970 mg, 24.3 mmol) in tert-butanol (8 mL) for 2 h at which time the solid sodium hydroxide had dissolved. The solution was then cooled to room temperature and a solution of N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 2-chloroacetamide (5.0 g, 16.2 mmol) in tert-butanol (8 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature overnight. After removal of tert-butanol under reduced pressure, the residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and this solution washed with sodium bicarbonate, water and brine. The organic layer was then dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide: 90/9/1) to give 4.73 g of the title intermediate as a viscous oil (81% yield).

Analytical Data: MS: 363 (MH⁺).

Step C—Preparation of 4-[N-(7-Hydroxy-3-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine

To a solution of N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 2-(4-hydroxybut-1-oxy)acetamide (4.7 g, 13 mmol) in THF (30 mL) was slowly added 1 M lithium aluminum hydride in THF (20 mL, 19.5 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and then quenched by slow addition of 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide at 0° C. until no gas formation was observed. After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, a solid formed and the reaction mixture was filtered and the precipitate washed with THF three times. The filtrate was then concentrated and the residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and this solution was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give 3.71 g of the title intermediate (82% yield).

Analytical Data: MS: 349 (MH⁺).

Step D—Preparation of 4-[N-(7-Bromo-3-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine

4-[N-(7-Hydroxy-3-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine (3.7 g, 10.6 mmol) was treated with dibromotriphenylphosphorane (11.2 g, 26.6 mmol) in dichloromethane for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then was washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide, saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give the title intermediate, which was used without further purification.

Step E—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

A mixture of 4-[N-(7-bromo-3-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine (from Step D), 3-(S)-1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (3.28 g, 11.7 mmol) and triethylamine (4.5 mL, 31.9 mmol) in acetonitrile was refluxed for 24 h. The acetonitrile was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in 1 N hydrochloric acid at a pH of about 1 to 2. After washing with ethyl acetate (4×), the aqueous layer was made basic with 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide to a pH of about 13 to 14 at 0° C. The aqueous layer was then extracted with dichloromethane (4×) and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide: 90/9/1) to give 2.08 g of the title intermediate as a white solid (32% yield).

Analytical Data: MS 611 (MH⁺).

Step F—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}piperidine

To a stirred solution of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine (2.08 g, 3.4 mmol) in acetic acid (30 mL) was added Pd(OH)₂ on carbon (0.20 g, 10% wt/wt) and Pd on carbon (0.20 g, 10% wt/wt). The reaction vessel was then evacuated and filled with hydrogen gas (3 times). The reaction was then allowed to stir at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction vessel was then flushed with nitrogen gas and the catalysts were removed by filtration. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford 1.69 g of the title intermediate, which was used without further purification (95% yield).

Analytical Data: MS 521 (MH⁺).

Example G Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-5-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine Step A—Preparation of N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 4-Chlorobutyramide

A solution of 4-chlorobutyryl chloride (5.3 mL, 47.4 mmol) in dichloromethane (400 mL) was added dropwise to a mixture of 1-benzyl-4-(isopropylamino)piperidine (10 g, 43.07 mmol) and DIPEA (9.0 mL, 51.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (200 mL) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 min and then at room temperature for 2 h. The solution was then washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane/triethylamine: 42.5/56.5/1) to give 5.0 g of the title intermediate as viscous oil (35% yield).

Step B—Preparation of N-(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 4-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)butyramide

A mixture of ethylene glycol (15 mL, 268 mmol) and N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 4-chlorobutyramide (5.0 g, 14.9 mmol) was heated at 140° C. for 2 h in the presence of a catalytic amount p-toluenesulfonic acid. The reaction mixture was then dissolved in dichloromethane and the solution washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and brine; and dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide: 90/9/1) to give 2.72 g of the title intermediate as viscous oil (51% yield).

Step C—Preparation of 4-[N-(7-Hydroxy-5-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine

To a solution of N-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-N-isopropyl 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)butyramide (2.7 g, 7.5 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was slowly added 1 M lithium aluminum hydride in THF (11.3 mL, 11.3 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and then quenched by slow addition of 15% aqueous sodium hydroxide at 0° C. until no gas formation was observed. After stirring for 10 minutes at room temperature, a solid formed and the reaction mixture was filtered and the precipitate washed with THF three times. The filtrate was then concentrated and the residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and this solution was washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give 2.13 g of the title intermediate (82% yield).

Step D—Preparation of 4-[N-(7-Bromo-5-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine

4-[N-(7-Hydroxy-5-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine (2.0 g, 5.7 mmol) was treated with dibromotriphenylphosphorane (6.1 g, 14.4 mmol) in dichloromethane for 2 h. The reaction mixture was then was washed with 1 N sodium hydroxide, saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to give the title intermediate, which was used without further purification.

Step E—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-5-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

A mixture of 4-[N-(7-bromo-3-oxahept-1-yl)-N-(isopropyl)amino]-1-benzylpiperidine (from Step D), 3-(S)-1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (1.8 g, 6.3 mmol) and triethylamine (2.4 mL, 17.3 mmol) in acetonitrile was refluxed for 24 h. The acetonitrile was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was dissolved in 1 N hydrochloric acid at a pH of about 1 to 2. After washing with ethyl acetate (4×), the aqueous layer was made basic with 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide to a pH of about 13 to 14 at 0° C. The aqueous layer was then extracted with dichloromethane (4×) and the combined organic layers were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate, brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (dichloromethane/methanol/ammonium hydroxide: 90/9/1) to give 1.02 g of the title intermediate as a white solid (29% yield).

Example H Preparation of 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}piperidine Step A—Preparation of 5-(2,2-Dimethoxyethoxy)pent-1-yne

Pent-4-yn-1-ol (4.5 mL, 48 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous THF (50 mL). Sodium hydride (60% w/w in mineral oil, 1.95 g, 49 mmol) was added portionwise over a 10 min period. The resulting slurry was heated at 40° C. for 30 min. and then allowed to cool to room temperature. 2-Bromoacetaldehyde dimethylacetal (5.67 mL, 48 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated at 40° C. for 18 h, and it was quenched with water (2 mL). The resulting solution was concentrated and then partitioned between dichloromethane (2×100 mL) and 1N HCl (100 mL). The organic phases were then removed and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ solution (100 mL), and saturated brine (100 mL); and then dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting crude product (2.91 g) was then chromatographed using a silica gel column and eluting under 10 psi of nitrogen pressure with dichloromethane; 2% v/v methanol in dichloromethane; and then 4% v/v methanol in dichloromethane. The appropriate fractions were combined and concentrated to give the title intermediate (2.78 g, 16.1 mmol, 33.5% yield—contained 0.5 molar equivalents of dichloromethane). NOTE: Due to the volatility of this intermediate, this compound should not be dried on a high vacuum line.

Step B—Preparation of (1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-[6-(2,2-dimethoxyethoxy)hex-2-ynyl]isopropylamine

5-(2,2-Dimethoxyethoxy)pent-1-yne was reacted with 1-benzyl-4-(isopropylamino)piperidine as described in Example 1, Step B. The crude product (5.78 g) was purified on a silica gel column (10 psi nitrogen pressure) using a gradient of 3.5 to 10% v/v methanol in dichloromethane to afford 3.35 g (50% yield) of the title intermediate.

Step C—Preparation of {6-[(1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)isopropylamino]hex-4-ynyloxy}acetaldehyde

The intermediate from Step B (1.61 g, 3.9 mmol) was dissolved in TFA/water/chloroform (3:1:3 v/v, 10 mL total) and stirred for 1 h. MS analysis indicated some starting material was still present so an additional 15 mL of the TFA/water/chloroform mixture was added and the reaction stirred for 17 h. The reaction was then poured into 1M potassium carbonate solution (150 mL) to give a mixture having a pH of 7 to 8. The biphasic mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (200 mL) and separated. The aqueous phase was then re-extracted with dichloromethane (100 mL), and the combined organic layers were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title intermediate (1.76 g).

Step D—Preparation of 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-oxanon-2-yn-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

The intermediate from Step C was coupled with (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine using sodium triacetoxyborohydride in methanol in a manner similar to the procedure described in Example D, Step B.

Step E—Preparation of 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-7-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}piperidine

The intermediate from Step D (2.44 g, 3.9 mmol) was dissolved in acetic acid (40 mL) and placed in a Parr shaker flask with 10% palladium on carbon (wet, Degussa type, 0.49 g). The resulting mixture was hydrogenated at 48 psi for 90 min. MS analysis indicated complete consumption of the acetylene group. Pearlman's catalyst (Pd(OH)₂, 0.53 g, 20 wt. % on carbon, wet) was added and hydrogenation conditions were continued for 6 h. The catalyst was then removed by filtration. The reaction mixture was then concentrated and the residue was redissolved in methanol (40 mL). Fresh Pearlman's catalyst (0.9 g, as above) was added and the reaction mixture was hydrogenated at 48 psi for a further 5 h, at which time MS analysis indicated the reaction was complete. The reaction mixture was filtered through Celite and the Celite was washed with methanol. The filtrate was concentrated and the resulting crude product was partitioned between dichloromethane (2×100 mL) and 1N NaOH solution (100 mL, pH 10). The organic phases were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude title intermediate (1.43 g).

Example I Preparation of Methanesulfonic Acid 4-(4-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamino}butoxy)butyl Ester Step A—Preparation of 3-[4-(Benzyloxy)but-1-oxy]prop-1-yne

To a 1:1 mixture of propargyl alcohol (100 mL, 1.72 mol) and anhydrous THF (100 mL) was added sodium hydride (60% w/w dispersion in mineral oil, 14.0 g, 0.35 mol) under nitrogen, portionwise, over 30-35 min. An second reaction mixture was prepared in essentially the same manner. Both reaction mixtures were heated at 40° C. for 2 h and then cooled to room temperature. 4-Benzyloxy-1-bromobutane (90%, 35.0 g, 0.137 mol) was added to each reaction mixture. The resulting solutions were heated at 40° C. for 22 h and then quenched with water (˜5 mL), combined and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting crude product was then partitioned between dichloromethane (2×300 mL) and water (200 mL). The organic phases were removed, washed with saturated brine (150 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the crude title intermediate (67 g) as a yellow oil. This oil was then chromatographed on a silica gel column (˜8 kg, 230-400 mesh, flash under 10 psi nitrogen pressure) eluting with dichloromethane (R_(f)=0.45, dichloromethane). The appropriate fractions were combined and concentrated to give the title intermediate as a clear oil (37.2 g, 0.17 mol, 62% yield).

Analytical Data: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.3 (5H, m, Ph); 4.4 (2H, s, PhCH ₂O); 4.05 (2H, d, CHCCH ₂O); 3.45 (4H, m, OCH ₂CH₂CH₂ CH ₂O); 2.35 (1H, t, CHCCH₂O); 1.65 (4H, m, OCH₂ CH ₂ CH ₂CH₂O).

Step B—Preparation of [4-(4-Benzyloxybutoxy)but-2-ynyl]-[1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamine

The product from Step A (24.9 g, 0.114 mol) and 1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl(methyl)amine (30.2 g, 0.114 mol) were dissolved in anhydrous THF (1.2 L). Paraformaldehyde (4.44 g, 0.148 mol, 1.3 eq.) was added, followed by copper (1) chloride (1.13 g, 0.0114 mol, 0.1 eq.). The reaction mixture was then heated to 50° C. under nitrogen for 11 h and then cooled and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting material was partitioned between dichloromethane (1 L) and water (2×450 mL). The organic phases were removed and washed with 0.5 M ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid solution (pH 8, 4×300 mL) and then brine (2×250 mL) to give the title intermediate as a brown oil (49.0 g, 0.099 mol, 87% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 495.4 (MH⁺).

Step C—Preparation of 4-(4-{[1-2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamino}butoxy)butan-1-ol

To a solution of the product from Step B (1.18 g, 2.4 mmol) in acetic acid (50 mL) was added Pearlman's catalyst (Pd(OH)₂, 20% ww, wet, 0.57 g) in a 250 mL Parr shaker flask. This suspension was then hydrogenated at 50 psi in a Parr hydrogenator. After 2 h, LC/MS analysis indicated the reaction was complete, so the reaction mixture was purged with nitrogen, filtered through a pad of Celite under a nitrogen blanket and washed the Celite washed with methanol. The solution was then concentrated in vacuo to remove acetic acid, and the residue was then partitioned between dichloromethane (2×75 mL) and 1N NaOH (80 mL, pH 10). The organic phases were then washed with saturated brine (100 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title intermediate (0.86 g, 2.1 mmol, 88% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 409.3 (MH⁺).

Step D—Preparation of Methanesulfonic Acid 4-(4-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamino}butoxy)butyl Ester

To a solution of the product from Step C (0.86 g, 2.1 mmol) in dichloromethane (21 mL) was added diisopropylethylamine (0.364 mL, 2.1 mmol) and then methanesulfonic anhydride (0.364 g, 2.1 mmol). After stirring for 10 h, MS analysis indicated the reaction was complete so the reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (˜50 mL) and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ solution (25 mL). The aqueous phase was back extracted with dichloromethane (50 mL) and the combined organic phases were then dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the title intermediate (1.0 g, 2.05 mmol, 97% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 487.3 (MH⁺); ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 2.95 (3H, s, OSO2CH3).

Example J Preparation of Methanesulfonic Acid 7-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]isopropylamino}heptyl Ester Step A—Preparation of 6-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]isopropylcarbamoyl}hexanoic Acid Ethyl Ester

A solution of [1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]isopropylamine (1.3 g, 4.6 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (1.2 mL, 9.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (40 mL) was cooled to 0° C. under nitrogen. 6-Chlorocarbonylhexanoic acid ethyl ester (0.73 mL, 5.0 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h and then at room temperature for an additional 2 h. The reaction mixture was then transferred to a separatory funnel and washed with NaHCO₃ (2×) and brine (1×). The organic layer was then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title intermediate as a yellow oil (2.2 g), which was used without further purification.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 463.2 (MH⁺).

Step B—Preparation of 7-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzylpiperidin-4-yl]isopropylamino}hexan-1-ol

The product from Step A (2.2 g, 4.7 mmol) was dissolved in THF (5.0 mL) and this mixture was cooled to −20° C. under nitrogen. Lithium aluminum hydride in THF (1 M, 19 mL, 19 mmol) was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h at room temperature. The reaction was then quenched with 1 M NaOH and filtered. The filter cake was washed with dichloromethane and the combined filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and the residue diluted with dichloromethane. This mixture was washed with NaHCO₃ (2×) and brine (1×), and then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the crude product (1.4 g) as a yellow oil. The crude product was then purified by silica gel flash column chromatography eluting with 5-10% v/v MeOH:CHCl₃ containing 0.5% NH₄OH to give the title intermediate (0.77 g, 41% yield for two steps).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 407.3 (MH⁺).

Step C—Preparation of Methanesulfonic Acid 7-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]isopropylamino}heptyl Ester

A solution of the product from Step B (0.77 g, 1.9 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.66 mL, 3.8 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 mL) was cooled to 0° C. under nitrogen. Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.17 mL, 2.2 mmol) in dichloromethane (1 mL) was added dropwise and the resulting mixture was stirred for 18 h at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then washed with NaHCO₃ (2×) and brine (1×), and the organic layer dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the title intermediate as a lightly-colored oil (0.79 g), which was used without further purification.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 485.2 (MH⁺).

Example K Preparation of 4{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}piperidine Step A—Preparation of 1-Benzyl-4-tert-butoxycarbonylaminopiperidine

4-Amino-1-benzylpiperidine (20 g, 0.105 mol) was dissolved in acetone (200 mL) and triethylamine (14.7 mL) was added, followed by di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (22.9 g). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight and then concentrated to a volume of about 100 mL. The precipitate that formed was collected by filtration, washed with diethyl ether and dried to give 13.3 g of the title intermediate as a white crystalline solid. A second crop of 5.2 g of the title intermediate was obtained upon further concentration of the mother liquors.

Step B—Preparation of (1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-(7-bromoheptyl)carbamic Acid tert-Butyl Ester

To a chilled solution of 1-benzyl-4-tert-butoxycarbonylaminopiperidine (6.8 g, 23.4 mmol) in DMF (200 mL) was added sodium hydride (0.6 g, 60% dispersion in mineral oil). After 30 min, 1,7-dibromoheptane was added (12 mL) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 24 h. Another portion of sodium hydride (0.6 g, 60% dispersion in mineral oil) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h. The DMF was removed in vacuo and the residue extracted with dichloromethane and 1 N HCl (3×). The organic phase was washed with saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give 18.5 g of the crude intermediate. This crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography, eluting with 1% methanol in dichloromethane. The appropriate fractions were combined and concentrated to afford 4.7 g of the title intermediate (85% pure by HPLC, MS and NMR), which was used without further purification.

Step C—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

(S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (2.66 g, 9.5 mmol) and triethylamine (4.2 mL) were dissolved in anhydrous acetonitrile (120 mL) and (1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)-(7-bromoheptyl)carbamic acid tert-butyl ester (4.7 g) was added as a solution in acetonitrile (20 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 12 h and then heated at 50° C. for an additional 6 h. The reaction mixture was then concentrated and extracted between 10% diethylether/dichloromethane and 1 N HCl (3×). The organic phase was then washed with saturated brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to afford 6 g of the title intermediate.

Step D—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

The intermediate from Step C (5.9 g) was dissolved in THF (20 mL) and 4 N HCl in dioxane (20 mL) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 4 h and then concentrated and partitioned between 10% diethyl ether/dichloromethane and 1 N HCl (4×). The aqueous phases were back extracted with dichloromethane (2×) and then made basic to pH 11 with sodium carbonate. The aqueous phase was then extracted with dichloromethane (4×), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 2.9 g of the title intermediate.

Step E—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-benzylpiperidine

The product from Step D (3.5 g, 4 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (40 mL) and sodium cyanoborohydride (0.5 g, 8 mmol) was added. After 10 minutes, propionaldehyde (1.45 mL, 20 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h at room temperature under nitrogen. HPLC analysis indicated approximately 50% conversion so additional amounts of sodium cyanoborohydride (0.5 g, 8 mmol) and propionaldehyde (1 mL, 14 mmol) were added. After a further 2 h, HPLC indicated 95% conversion so additional amounts of sodium cyanoborohydride (0.21 g, 3.4 mmol) and propionaldehyde (0.5 mL, 7 mmol) were added. After a further 2 h, the reaction was quenched by adding 1N HCl, and then the reaction mixture was concentrated. The resulting oil was partitioned between dichloromethane (2×) and saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 2.97 g of the title intermediate.

Step F—Preparation of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}piperidine

The intermediate from Step E (3.5 g) was dissolved in acetic acid (600 mL) and treated with hydrogen (40-50 psi) in the presence of 20% w/w Pd(OH)₂ on carbon (1 g) in a Parr hydrogenator. After 24 h, an additional 3 g of 20% Pd(OH)₂ was added and the reaction mixture was again treated with hydrogen. After 48 h, the catalyst was removed by filtration and rinsed with methanol. The filtrate was concentrated to remove methanol and partitioned between aqueous potassium carbonate and dichloromethane (3×). The organic phases were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give 1.49 g of the title intermediate.

Example L Preparation of (1-tert-Butoxycarbonylpiperidin-4-yl)methylamine

1-tert-Butoxycarbonylpiperid-4-one (6.18 g, 31 mmol) was dissolved in a 2.0 M solution of methylamine in methanol (56 mL, 112 mmol). This solution was added to 10% palladium on carbon (wet, 1.3 g) and the mixture placed under an atmosphere of hydrogen for 72 h. The reaction mixture was then purged with nitrogen and filtered through a pad of Celite, which was then washed with methanol. The resulting hazy filtrate was filtered through a 0.2 μm filter and then concentrated in vacuo to afford the title intermediate (6.16 g, 29 mmol, 93.5% yield).

Analytical Data: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 2.7 (2H, m), 2.5 (1H, bm); 2.4, (3H, s, NHCH ₃), 2.2 (2H, bm), 1.8 (2H, bd), 1.4 (9H, s, (CH ₃)₃C), 1.25 (2H, dq).

Example M Preparation of (1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)isopropylamine

1-Benzyl-4-aminopiperidine (100.0 g, 0.525 mol) was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (0.9 L) and sodium cyanoborohydride (34.6 g, 0.55 mol) was added portionwise. After 10 min, a solution of acetone (44.1 mL, 0.6 mol) in anhydrous methanol (100 mL total volume) was added via a dropping funnel. The reaction mixture was stirred for 18 h and then quenched with 1N HCl (350 mL), followed by conc. HCl (80 mL) portionwise (effervescence observed below pH 7) to produce a solution having a pH of 1. After the effervescence had subsided, the solution was concentrated until a white precipitate was produced. This precipitate was filtered and washed with a small amount of 1N HCl, diethyl ether and then dried in vacuo to afford 117.7 g of the title intermediate as a hydrochloride salt (96.5% yield).

Analytical Data: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.2 (5H, m, Ph), 3.4 (2H, s, PhCH ₂), 2.95 (1H, m, (CH₃)₂CHN), 2.8 (2H, m), 2.5 (1H, m), 1.98 (2H, dt), 1.8 (2H, m), 1.3 (2H, m), 1.0 (6H, d, (CH ₃)₂CHN).

Example N Preparation of [1-(2,6-Dimethoxy)benzylpiperidin-4-yl]methylamine Step A—Preparation of 8-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)-1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane

A mixture of 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane (19 mL, 0.146 mol), 2,6-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (26.7 g) and 10% Pd/C (wet, 4 g) in methanol (150 mL) was treated with hydrogen (50 psi) for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then filtered and concentrated to give 45 g of the title intermediate as a yellow solid.

Step B—Preparation of 1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-one

The intermediate from Step A (90 g, 0.3 mol) was dissolved in 0.6 M aqueous hydrochloric acid (510 mL) and heated at 70° C. for 7 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 5-10° C. in an ice bath and cautiously quenched with 10 N sodium hydroxide. When a basic pH was reached, ethyl acetate was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×). The combined organic phases were extracted with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and then washed with saturated brine. The organic phases were then concentrated to give 66 g of the crude product as an orange oil. This material was then purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with 5% methanol in dichloromethane containing 0.1% ammonium hydroxide. The appropriate fractions were combined and dried to afford 39 g of the title intermediate as a light yellow solid.

Step C—Preparation of [1-(2,6-Dimethoxy)benzylpiperidin-4-yl]methylamine

The intermediate from Step B (39 g, 0.15 mol) was dissolved in a methanolic solution of methylamine (2.0 M, 780 mL) and 10% Pd/C (wet, 5.8 g) was added. This reaction mixture was treated with hydrogen (1 atm) with stirring for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then filtered through Celite and concentrated to give 40 g of the title intermediate as a yellow oil.

Example O Preparation of 4-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)piperidine Step A—Preparation of 1-Benzylpiperidin-yl Toluenesulfonic Acid Ester

To a mixture of 1-benzyl-4-hydroxypiperidine (40 g, 209 mmol) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (28.1 g, 250 mmol) in 300 mL of MTBE was added a solution of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (44 g, 230 mmol) in 50 mL of MTBE. The rate of addition was controlled so that the temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained below 25° C. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and then water was added to quench the reaction. The organic phase was separated and washed with water, brine, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness to give 65 g of the title intermediate as a white solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 346 (MH⁺).

Step B—Preparation of (1-Benzylpiperidin-4-yl)diphenylacetonitrile

To a solution of the intermediate from Step A (50 g, 144.7 mmol) and diphenylacetonitrile (33.6 g, 174 mmol) in THF (300 mL) was added potassium tert-butoxide (19.5 g, 173.8 mmol). The reaction mixture was then stirred for about 4 h at a temperature ranging from 40 to 50° C. The reaction was monitored by TLC. When the reaction was completed, water (80 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes and then separated into two phases. The organic phase was washed with 40 mL of brine, acidified with concentrated HCl (25 mL) and stirred thoroughly for about 10 minutes at which time a precipitate formed. The mixture was then diluted with water (200 mL) and THF (200 mL), stirred for another 10 minutes and then filtered to collect the precipitate. The precipitate was then stirred with water overnight and this mixture was then filtered to give 49 g of the title intermediate as a white solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 367 (MH⁺).

Step C—Preparation of (Piperidin-4-yl)diphenylacetonitrile

A mixture of the intermediate from Step B (15 g), ammonium formate (16 g) and 10% Pd/C in methanol (150 mL) was heated at 54° C. for 1 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to remove methanol. The resulting residue was added to water and this mixture made basic with 10 N NaOH to pH above 12. This mixture was then extracted with isopropyl acetate (3×100 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine (2×), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, concentrated and further dried under high vacuum to give 10 g of the title intermediate as a white solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 277 (MH⁺).

Step D—Preparation of 4-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)piperidine

A pre-mixed solution of sulfuric acid (16 mL) and water (3.2 mL) was added to the intermediate from Step C (2.64 g). This mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 4 days (reaction progress was monitored by HPLC). The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and added slowly to 100 mL of ice. Dichloromethane (150 mL) was added and, while stirring and cooling the mixture in an ice-bath, a solution of sodium hydroxide (10 N) was added slowly to adjust the pH to above 12. During the addition of sodium hydroxide, additional dichloromethane was also added. The mixture was then filtered and the organic phase was separated. The aqueous phase was extracted with dichloromethane (2×200 mL) and the combined organic phases were washed with water (1×), brine (2×), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give 3 g of the title intermediate as a white solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 295 (MH⁺).

Example P Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-oxohept-1-yl)pyrrolidine Step A—Preparation of 7,7-Dimethoxyheptanal

Cycloheptene was added to a three-neck round-bottom flask containing low water UV-grade methanol (0.5 M concentration). The reaction mixture was cooled to −78° C., and ozone was bubbled through for 45 minutes. The solution was purged with nitrogen in order to prevent over oxidation. p-Toluenesulfonic acid (10 mol %) was added, and the reaction mixture was slowly warmed to 0° C. (two hours total reaction time). The acid was neutralized by adding excess solid sodium bicarbonate (4.0 equivalents) and after the mixture was stirred for 15 minutes, dimethyl sulfide (2.2 eq) was added. After 16 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated by solvent removal on rotary evaporator. Water was added (10 mL/g) and the heterogeneous mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. The crude product was extracted with MTBE (2×20 mL/g) and the combined organic extracts were dried with sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude product was purified by vacuum distillation (observed b.p. 80-85° C., at a pressure of about 1.0 mm) to give the title intermediate.

Step B—Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7,7-dimethoxyhept-1-yl)pyrrolidine

To a three-necked SOL flask equipped with a mechanic stirrer, a nitrogen inlet, cooling bath and a thermometer was added (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (2.5 kg, 8.93 mol) and dichloromethane (20 L) and this mixture was stirred until the solid dissolved. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 0° C. and 7,7-dimethoxy-heptanal (1.71 kg, 9.82 mol) was added slowly while maintaining the reaction temperature below 5° C. This reaction mixture was stirred at 0 to 5° C. for 1 hr and then sodium triacetoxyborohydride (2.27 kg, 10.72 mol) was added in small portions over 30 minutes while maintaining the reaction temperature below 5° C. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 6 hrs. An aqueous 5% potassium carbonate solution (20 L) was then added while maintaining the reaction temperature below 20° C. and the reaction mixture was then stirred for 1 hr at room temperature. The layers were then separated and the organic layer was washed with brine (10 L) and then dried over sodium sulfate (2 kg) for about 3 hrs. After separating the organic layer from the sodium sulfate, the organic layer was concentrated to about 10 L under reduced pressure. This mixture was then purified by silica gel chromatography (40 kg) using the following sequence of eluents: dichloromethane (100 L); 3% MeOH, 97% DCM, as needed; 5% MeOH, 95% DCM, as needed; and 10% MeOH, 90% DCM, as needed. The fractions containing the desired intermediate were then combined (R_(f) 0.3; 10% MeOH/90% DCM) and concentrated at a temperature less than 30° C. to afford 3.3 kg of the title intermediate.

Step C—Preparation of (S)-3-(1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-oxohept-1-yl)pyrrolidine

To a three-necked 50 L flask equipped with a mechanic stir, a nitrogen inlet, cooling bath and a thermometer was added the intermediate from Step B (3.3 kg, 7.25 mol) and acetonitrile (15 L). This mixture was cooled to less than 10° C. and an aqueous 1 N hydrochloric acid solution (15 L) was added while maintaining the reaction temperature less than 20° C. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 hrs. Dichloromethane (20 L) was then added and this mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and then separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2×10 L) and the combined organic layers were washed with brine (20 L) and dried over sodium sulfate (4 kg) for at least 3 hours. After separating the organic layer from the sodium sulfate, the organic layer was concentrated to about 20 L under reduced pressure at a temperature less than 25° C. This solution containing about 1.5 kg of the title intermediate was used in subsequent reactions without further purification. Alternatively, if desired, the solution can be further concentrated and the resulting residue purified by conventional procedures.

Example 1 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamine (44 mg, 0.15 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (1.0 mL) and sodium cyanoborohydride (9.4 mg, 0.15 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 5 minutes and then (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-oxohept-1-yl)pyrrolidine (39 mg, 0.10 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then concentrated in vacuo, and the residue diluted with dichloromethane. This mixture was washed with NaHCO₃ (2×), brine (1×), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by reverse phase HPLC to afford the title compound as a lyophilized white solid (7 mg, 4% yield).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 641.4 (MH⁺);

Using essentially this same procedure and the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of Examples 2, 3 6, 8 and 9 were prepared.

Example 4 Synthesis of 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

To a solution of (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (0.692 g, 2.47 mmol) and triethylamine (0.861 mL, 6.18 mmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (25 mL) was added methanesulfonic acid 4-(4-{[1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]methylamino}butoxy)butyl ester (1.0 g, 2.05 mmol). The reaction mixture was then heated at 50° C. for 48 h and then cooled to room temperature and diluted with dichloromethane (100 mL). This mixture was extracted with saturated NaHCO₃ solution (50 mL) and the aqueous phase back extracted with dichloromethane (50 mL). The combined organic layers were then washed with saturated brine (50 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to give the crude product (1.15 g) as a yellow colored foam. This material was then dissolved in an acetonitrile/water (1:5 v/v) mixture having the pH previously adjusted to 1 to 2 with trifluoroacetic acid (total solution volume <10 mL). This mixture was filtered and purified by reverse phase prep HPLC. The appropriate fractions were combined and lyophilized to afford the title compound as its tris-trifluoroacetate salt (0.46 g), which was a white powder.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 671.5 (MH⁺);

Example 5 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(n-propyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine (1.58 g, 2.5 mmol) (from Example 7) was dissolved in anhydrous methanol (25 mL) and sodium cyanoborohydride (0.345 g, 5.5 mmol) was added. This mixture was stirred under nitrogen for 10 min and then propionaldehyde (1 mL, 12.6 mmol) was added. The resulting mixture was stirred for 18 h and then concentrated. The residue was partitioned between 10% v/v diethyl ether/dichloromethane (40 mL) and 1N HCl (3×70 mL). The combined aqueous phases were made basic to pH 11 with sodium carbonate and then back extracted with dichloromethane (3×50 mL). The combined organic extracts were then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to afford the crude product (1.6 g, 91% purity by HPLC). This material was then dissolved in 30% v/v acetonitrile/water containing 0.01% TFA (8 mL) and then acidified to pH 2 to 3 with 10% TFA/water, filtered and purified by reverse phase prep HPLC (C18 column). The appropriate fractions were combined and lyophilized to afford the title compound (1.15 g) as its tris-trifluoroacetate salt (>99% peak purity by HPLC).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 669.5 (MH⁺); 519 (loss of dimethoxybenzyl); and 436 (loss of piperidine).

Using essentially this same procedure and the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of Examples 10-31, 39-46, 48-59, 67, 68, 81, 87-89 and 108 were prepared.

Example 7 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

To a solution of (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)-1-(7-oxohept-1-yl)pyrrolidine (1.5 g, 3.8 mmol) and 4-amino-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine (1.4 g, 5.7 mmol) in MeOH (40 mL) was added sodium triacetoxyborohydride (2.3 g, 11 mmol) and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then concentrated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in a solution of water/acetonitrile (2:1 v/v) and purified by reverse-phase HPLC to afford the title compound (1.4 g, 38% yield) as a white solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 627.5 (MH⁺).

Example 32 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,3-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}piperidine (49 mg, 0.1 mmol) and sodium cyanoborohydride (10 mg, 0.15 mmol) were dissolved in anhydrous methanol (1 mL) and stirred under nitrogen for 10 min. To this mixture was added 2,3-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (17 mg, 0.1 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature under nitrogen for 18 h. The mixture was then concentrated in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in 1:1 v/v acetic acid/water (1 mL) and purified by reverse-phase prep HPLC (C18 column). The appropriate fractions were combined and lyophilized to afford the title compound (6.8 mg) as a white lyophilized solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 641.4 (MH⁺).

Using essentially this same procedure and the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of Examples 33-38, 60-64, 66, 72-80, 82, 83, 86, 90-107, 109-118, 120-124 and 126-153 were prepared.

Example 47 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

To a solution of methanesulfonic acid 7-{[1-(2,6-Dimethoxybenzyl)piperidin-4-yl]isopropylamino}heptyl ester (0.79 g, 1.6 mmol) and (S)-3-(1-carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidine (0.55 g, 2.0 mmol) in acetonitrile (20 mL) was added triethylamine (0.67 mL, 4.9 mmol) and the resulting mixture was heated at 60° C. for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was diluted with dichloromethane and this solution was washed with NaHCO₃ (2×), brine (1×), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting oil was purified by reverse-phase HPLC to afford the title compound (222 mg, 13% yield) as a white lyophilized solid.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 669.9 (MH⁺).

Example 69 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(n-propyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine (48 mg, 0.072 mmol) (Example 5) was dissolved in anhydrous DMF (3 mL). A portion of this solution (2.7 mL) was added to sodium hydride (60% dispersion in mineral oil, 8 mg, 0.215 mmol) and heated at 50° C. under nitrogen for 15 mins. The reaction mixture was then allowed to return to room temperature before adding a 1 M solution of iodomethane in DMF (65 μL). The reaction mixture was then stirred for 18 h before concentrating and partitioning between dichloromethane (3×) and saturated sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting oil was then purified by reverse phase HPLC. The fractions containing the product were combined and lyophilized to give 34 mg of the title compound as its TFA salt (99% pure by HPLC analysis).

Analytical Data: MS m/z 683.6 (MH⁺).

Using essentially this same procedure and the appropriate starting materials, the compounds of Examples 85, 119 and 125 were prepared.

Example 70 Synthesis of 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N,N-Dimethylcarbamoyl)-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine

4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(n-propyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine (45 mg, 0.066 mmol) (Example 69) was premixed with sodium hydride (8 mg, 60% dispersion in mineral oil, 0.2 mmol) in DMF (2 mL) and heated at 50° C. for 25 min before cooling to room temperature. A 1 M solution of iodomethane in DMF (75 μL) was added and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 18 h before quenching with methanol and concentrating in vacuo. The resulting crude product was purified by reverse phase HPLC. The fractions containing the product were combined and lyophilized to give 21 mg of the title compound as its TFA salt.

Analytical Data: MS m/z 697.5 (MH⁺).

Analytical data for the compounds prepared in Examples 1-153 above, are shown in Table II:

TABLE II Ex. Compound MS¹ 1 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 641.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 2 4-{N-[8-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 655.4 1-yl)oct-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 3 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.3 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 4 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 671.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 5 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(n-propyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 6 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 731.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2-phenyleth-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 7 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 627.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 8 4-{N-[8-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 641.4 1-yl)oct-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 9 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 655.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 10 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 781.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(naphth-1-yleth-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 11 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 745.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-phenylprop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 12 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 683.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(but-4-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 13 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 767.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(naphth-2-ylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 14 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2-ethoxyeth-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 15 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 718.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 16 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 803.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3,4-ethylenedioxyphenacyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 17 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 770.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-[2-(indol-3-yl)eth-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 18 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-hydroxyethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 19 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 770.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-cyanophenacyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 20 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 761.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-phenoxyprop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 21 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 783.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-difluoromethoxybenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 22 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 773.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 23 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 801.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-trifluoromethoxybenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 24 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 793.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-phenylbenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 25 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 742.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-cyanobenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 26 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 731.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-methylbenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 27 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 795.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-methanesulfonylbenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 28 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 695.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(pent-5-en-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 29 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 717.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(benzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 30 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 763.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-methylthiobenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 31 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 745.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(phenacyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 32 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 641.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,3- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 33 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 641.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,5- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 34 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 717.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(4-benzyloxy-2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 35 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 689.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(5-bromo-2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 36 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 611.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 37 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 597.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2- hydroxybenzyl)piperidine 38 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 703 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(4-benzyloxy-2-hydroxy)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 39 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 777.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 40 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 697.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2-methylbut-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 41 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 7111.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 42 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 729.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-methylthiobut-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 43 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 715.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-methylthioprop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 44 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 723.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclohexylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 45 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 681.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 46 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 655.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 47 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 48 4-{N-[8-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 683.5 1-yl)oct-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 49 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 697.5 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 50 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3-methoxyprop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 51 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 667 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 52 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 709.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclohexyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 53 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 709.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 54 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 695.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclopentyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 55 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 681.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclobutyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 56 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 740.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-[2-(morpholin-1-yl)ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 57 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 671.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 58 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(2-methoxyethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 59 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,5- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 60 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 639.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 61 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,4- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 62 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 627.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,4-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 63 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 597.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2-methoxybenzyl)piperidine 64 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 627.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 65 4-{N-[8-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.6 1-yl)oct-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 66 4-{N-[8-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 683.5 1-yl)oct-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 67 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 697.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(pent-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 68 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 723.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 69 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1- 683.6 diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1- yl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 70 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N,N-Dimethylcarbamoyl)-1,1- 697.5 diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1- yl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 71 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 715.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-[2-(ethylthio)eth-1-yl]amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 72 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 681.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,5- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 73 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 651.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)amino}-1-(2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 74 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 681.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,4- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 75 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 655.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,5- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 76 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 625.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 77 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 655.4 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,4- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 78 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,5- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 79 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 639.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 80 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 669.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,4- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 81 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 709.6 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(cyclopropylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 82 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1- 683.9 diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}- 1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 83 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 687.6 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-3- fluorobenzyl)piperidine 84 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 697.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(prop-1-yl)amino}-1-(2-isopropoxy-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 85 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1- 695.4 diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N- (cyclopropylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 86 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 737.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- diisopropoxybenzyl)piperidine 87 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 683.6 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 88 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 781.9 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)ethyl]amino}-1- (2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 89 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 711.8 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(isobutyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 90 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 711.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- diisopropoxybenzyl)piperidine 91 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 679.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methylpiperidine 92 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 693.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methylpiperidine 93 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 707.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(7-ethoxy-2-oxo-2H-1- benzopyran-8-yl)methylpiperidine 94 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 641.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(6-hydroxy-2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 95 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 683.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- diethoxybenzyl)piperidine 96 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,4,6- trimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 97 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 661.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2- difluoromethoxybenzyl)piperidine 98 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 679.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2- trifluoromethoxybenzyl)piperidine 99 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 627.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dihydroxybenzyl)piperidine 100 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 639.8 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-ethoxybenzyl)piperidine 101 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 653.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2- isopropoxybenzyl)piperidine 102 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 693.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-[2-(2,2,2- trifluoroethoxybenzyl)piperidine 103 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 671.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-[2-hydroxy-6-(2- hydroxyethyl)benzyl]piperidine 104 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-[2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6- methoxybenzyl]piperidine 105 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-[2-ethoxy-6-(2- hydroxyethyl)benzyl]piperidine 106 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 639.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(α-methyl-2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 107 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 697.5 1-yl)non-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 108 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 718.6 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(pyrid-3-ylmethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 109 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 660.3 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 110 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 643.3 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 111 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 639.3 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-methoxy-6- methylbenzyl)piperidine 112 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.5 1-yl)-7-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 113 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 747.5 + 749.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(3-bromo-2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 114 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 693.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isoprpyl)amino}-1-(2- trifluoromethoxybenzyl)piperidine 115 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 116 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.7 1-yl)-3-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 117 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 671.3 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 118 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 667.5 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2- isopropoxybenzyl)piperidine 119 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1- 683.5 diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N- (isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 120 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 671.5 1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 121 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 671.3 1-yl)-5-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 122 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.3 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxy-3- hydroxybenzyl)piperidine 123 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.3 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxy-4- hydroxybenzyl)piperidine 124 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 749.5 + 751.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(3-bromo-2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 125 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-(N-Methylcarbamoyl)-1,1- 685.8 diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N- (methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 126 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 709.3 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(7-ethoxy-2- oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-8-yl)methylpiperidine 127 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 675.5 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 128 4-{N-[8-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.5 1-yl)-4-oxaoct-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 129 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 659.3 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 130 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 699.6 1-yl)-4-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 131 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 641.6 1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 132 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 659.8 1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 133 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 675.6 1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 134 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 695.6 1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2- trifluoromethoxybenzyl)piperidine 135 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 709.3 1-yl)-3-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(7-methoxy-2- oxo-2H-1-benzopyran-8-yl)methylpiperidine 136 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 659.3 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 137 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 685.3 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 138 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 673.7 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 139 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 657.9 1-yl)hept-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 140 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 673.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 141 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 689.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 142 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 657.8 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2,6- dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine 143 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 645.6 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 144 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 661.6 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 145 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 687.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-fluoro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 146 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 771.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-[2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl]piperidine 147 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 703.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(isopropyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 148 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 687.6 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxy-3- hydroxybenzyl)piperidine 149 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 757.7 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-[2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl]piperidine 150 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 743.7 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-[2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl]piperidine 151 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 675.5 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2-chloro-6- methoxybenzyl)piperidine 152 4-{N-[9-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 687.6 1-yl)-5-oxanon-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxy-4- hydroxybenzyl)piperidine 153 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)pyrrolidin- 729.4 1-yl)-4-oxahept-1-yl]-N-(ethyl)amino}-1-[2,6-di- (difluoromethoxy)benzyl]piperidine ¹Mass Spectrometry: m/z (MH⁺).

Example 155 Radioligand Binding Assay

A. Membrane Preparation from Cells Expressing hM₁, hM₂, hM₃ and hM₄ Muscarnic Receptor Subtypes

CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell lines stably expressing cloned human hM₁, hM₂, hM₃ and hM₄ muscarinic receptor subtypes, respectively, were grown to near confluency in medium consisting of HAM's F-12 supplemented with 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) and 250 μg/mL Geneticin. The cells were grown in a 5% CO₂, 37° C. incubator and lifted with dPBS+2 mM EDTA. Cells were collected by 5 minute centrifugation at 650×g, and cell pellets were either stored frozen at −80° C. or membranes were prepared immediately. For membrane preparation, cell pellets were resuspended in lysis buffer and homogenized with a Polytron PT-2100 tissue disrupter (Kinematica AG; 20 seconds×2 bursts). Crude membranes were centrifuged at 40,000×g for 15 minutes at 4° C. The membrane pellet was then resuspended with resuspension buffer and homogenized again with the Polytron tissue disrupter. Protein concentration of the membrane suspension was determined by the method of Lowry, O. et al., (1951) Journal of Biochemistry: 193, 265. Membranes were stored frozen in aliquots at −80° C.

Aliquots of prepared hM₅ receptor membranes were purchased directly from Perkin Elmer and stored at −80° C. until use.

B. Radioligand Binding Assay on Muscarinic Receptor Subtypes hM₁, hM₂, hM₃, hM₄, and hM₅

Radioligand binding assays were performed in 96-well microtiter plates in a total assay volume of 100 μL. Membranes containing each of the respective muscarinic subtypes were diluted in assay buffer to the following specific target protein concentrations (μg/well): 10 μg for hM₁, 10-15 μg for hM₂, 10-20 μg for hM₃, 18-20 μg for hM₄, and 10-12 μg for hM₅. The membranes were briefly homogenized using a Polytron tissue disrupter (10 seconds) prior to assay plate addition. Saturation binding studies for determining K_(D) values of the radioligand were performed using 1-[N-methyl-³H]scopolamine methyl chloride ([³H]NMS) (TRK666, 84.0 Ci/mmol, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Buckinghamshire, England) at concentrations ranging from 0.001 nM to 20 nM. Displacement assays for determination of K_(i) values of test compounds were performed with [³H]NMS at 1 nM and eleven different test compound concentrations. The test compounds were initially dissolved to a concentration of 400 μM in dilution buffer and then serially diluted 5× with dilution buffer to final concentrations ranging from 10 μM to 100 μM. The addition order and volumes to the assay plates were as follows: 25 μL radioligand, 25 μL diluted test compound, and 50 μL membranes. Assay plates were incubated for 60 minutes at 37° C. Binding reactions were terminated by rapid filtration over GF/B glass fiber filter plates (PerkinElmer Inc., Wellesley, Mass.) pre-treated in 1% BSA. Filter plates were rinsed three times with wash buffer (10 mM HEPES) to remove unbound radioactivity. Plates were air dried, and 50 μL Microscint-20 liquid scintillation fluid (PerkinElmer Inc., Wellesley, Mass.) was added to each well. The plates were then counted in a PerkinElmer Topcount liquid scintillation counter (PerkinElmer Inc., Wellesley, Mass.). Binding data were analyzed by nonlinear regression analysis with the GraphPad Prism Software package (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, Calif.) using the one-site competition model. K_(i) values for test compounds were calculated from observed IC₅₀ values and the K_(D) value of the radioligand using the Cheng-Prusoff equation (Cheng Y; Prusoff W H. (1973) Biochemical Pharmacology, 22(23):3099-108). K_(i) values were converted to pK_(i) values to determine the geometric mean and 95% confidence intervals. These summary statistics were then converted back to K_(i) values for data reporting.

Test compounds having a lower K_(i) value in this assay have a higher binding affinity for the muscarinic receptor. The compounds of this invention which were tested in this assay had a K_(i) value for hM₂ ranging from about 500 nM to less than 1 nM; typically ranging from about 100 nM to less than 1 nM. Additionally, compounds of this invention which were tested in this assay had an hM₃/hM₂ ratio ranging from about 1.5 to greater than 50; typically ranging from about 5 to greater than 50. By way of example, the compound of Example 4 had a K_(i) value for hM₂ of less than 20 nM and an hM₃/hM₂ ratio greater than or equal to about 5.

Thus, compounds of this invention were found to bind potently to the hM₂ receptor subtype in this assay and to have a higher binding affinity for the hM₂ receptor subtype relative to the hM₃ receptor subtype.

Example 156 Muscarinic Receptor Functional Potency Assays

A. Blockade of Agonist-Mediated GTPγ[³⁵S] Binding

In this assay, the functional potency of a test compound was determined by measuring the ability of the test compound to block carbachol-stimulated GTPγ[³⁵S] binding in CHO-K1 cells expressing the hM₂ receptor.

CHO-K1 cells stably expressing the hM₂ muscarinic receptor were grown in medium consisting of Hams F-12 media supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum and 500 μg/ml of Geneticin (G-418). Cells were incubated in a 5% CO₂, humidified incubator at 37° C. Cells were grown to confluence and harvested with dPBS+2 mM EDTA and pelleted by centrifugation at 250×g for 10 minutes.

Cells from the centrifuged pellets were resuspended in homogenization buffer (10 mM HEPES, 10 mM EDTA, pH 7 at 4° C.). Cells were then homogenized using a Polytron PT-2100 tissue disrupter (Kinematica AG) for six, 3 second bursts. Crude membranes were pelleted at 40,000×g for 15 minutes at 4° C. Membranes were finally resuspended in assay buffer (10 mM HEPES, 100 mM NaCl, 10 mM MgCl₂, pH 7.4 at 37° C.) and frozen at −80° C.

At the time of use, membranes were thawed and then diluted in assay buffer with a final target tissue concentration of 7 μg protein per well. The membranes were briefly homogenized using a Polytron PT-2100 tissue disrupter and then added to the assay plates.

The EC₉₀ value (effective concentration for 90% maximal response) for stimulation of GTPγ[³⁵S] binding by the agonist carbachol was determined in each experiment as follows: 25 μL of a 5× carbachol working stock solution, 25 μL assay buffer containing GTPγ[³⁵S] and GDP, 25 μL membrane, and 25 μL assay buffer were transferred to the 96-well microtiter plates. The final concentration of GTPγ[³⁵S] was 0.07 nM and the final concentration of GDP was 3 μM. The assay plate was then incubated at 37° C. for 60 minutes prior to filtration.

To determine the ability of a test compound to inhibit carbachol-stimulated GTPγ[³⁵S] binding, the following was added to each well of 96 well plates: 25 μL of assay buffer with GTPγ[³⁵S] and GDP, 25 μL of diluted test compound (prepared as described above), and 25 μL CHO cell membranes expressing the hM₂ receptor. The plates were pre-incubated at 37° C. for 15 minutes. After the pre-incubation period, 25 μL of carbachol at the final concentration of its EC₉₀ value determined earlier in the day was added to each plate. The assay plates were then incubated at 37° C. for an additional 60 minutes.

Following the 60 minute carbachol incubation period, the assay plates were filtered over 0.5% bovine serum albumin-pretreated glass fiber GF/B filtermats using a PerkinElmer 96-well harvester. The plates were rinsed with ice-cold wash buffer for 3×3 seconds and then air or vacuum dried. Microscint-20 scintillation liquid (40 μL) was added to each well, and each plate was sealed and radioactivity determined on a TopCount (PerkinElmer) scintillation counter.

Test compound potency (IC₅₀) was determined using iterative curve fitting (GraphPad Prism 3.0 software; single site competition curve). The inhibition dissociation constant (K_(i)) of the test compound was determined with the Prism program considering the concentration of the agonist carbachol and the effective concentration for 50% response (EC₅₀) determined in the same experiment.

Typically, compounds of this invention that were tested in this assay had a K, of less than about 100 nM for blockade of carbachol-mediated GTPγ[³⁵S] binding. For example, the compound of Example 4 had a K_(i) of less than about 10 nM.

Test compounds having a lower K_(i) value in these assays are more effective antagonists for the hM₂ muscarinic receptor subtype. Thus, these assays demonstrate that compounds of this invention are potent functional antagonists of the human M₂ receptor subtype.

B. Blockade of Agonist-Mediated Inhibition of cAMP Accumulation

Alternatively, the functional potency of a test compound is determined by measuring the ability of the test compound to block oxotremorine-inhibition of forskolin-mediated cAMP accumulation in CHO-K1 cells expressing the hM₂ receptor.

cAMP assays are performed in a radioimmunoassay format using the Flashplate Adenylyl Cyclase Activation Assay System with ¹²⁵I-cAMP (NEN SMP004B, PerkinElmer Life Sciences Inc., Boston, Mass.), according to the manufacturer's instructions.

CHO-K1 cells stably expressing cloned human M₂ muscarinic receptors are grown to near confluency in a 5% CO₂, 37° C. incubator in medium consisting of HAM's F-12 supplemented with 10% FBS (Fetal Bovine Serum) and 250 μg/mL Geneticin. On the day of the assay, cells are rinsed once with dPBS and lifted with Trypsin. The detached cells are washed twice by centrifugation at 650×g for five minutes in 50 mLs dPBS. The cell pellet is then re-suspended in 10 mL dPBS, and the cells are counted with a Coulter Z1 Dual Particle Counter (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, Calif.). The cells are centrifuged again at 650×g for five minutes and re-suspended in stimulation buffer to an assay concentration of 1.6×10⁶-2.8×10⁶ cells/mL.

The test compound is initially dissolved to a concentration of 400 μM in dilution buffer (dPBS supplemented with 1 mg/mL BSA (0.1%)), and then serially diluted with dilution buffer to final molar concentrations ranging from 1E-4 M to 1E-10 M. Oxotremorine is diluted in a similar manner.

To measure oxotremorine inhibition of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity, 25 μL forskolin (25 μM final concentration diluted in dPBS), 25 μL diluted oxotremorine, and 50 mL cells are added to agonist assay wells. To measure the ability of a test compound to block oxotremorine-inhibited AC activity, 25 μL forskolin and oxotremorine (25 μM and 5 μM final concentrations, respectively, diluted in dPBS) 25 μL diluted test compound, and 50 μL cells are added to remaining assay wells.

Reactions are incubated for 10 minutes at 37° C. and stopped by addition of 100 μL ice-cold detection buffer. Plates are sealed, incubated overnight at room temperature and counted the next morning on a PerkinElmer TopCount liquid scintillation counter (PerkinElmer Inc., Wellesley, Mass.). The amount of cAMP produced (pmol/well) is calculated based on the counts observed for the samples and cAMP standards, as described in the manufacturer's user manual. Data are analyzed by nonlinear regression analysis with the GraphPad Prism Software package (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, Calif.) using the non-linear regression, one-site competition equation. The Cheng-Prusoff equation is used to calculate the K_(i), using the EC₅₀ of the oxotremorine concentration-response curve and the oxotremorine assay concentration as the K_(D) and [L], respectively. The K_(i) values are converted to pK_(i) values to determine the geometric mean and 95% confidence intervals. These summary statistics are then converted back to K values for data reporting.

Typically, when tested in this assay, compounds of this invention are expected to have a K_(i) of less than about 100 nM for blockade of oxotremorine-inhibition of forskolin-mediated cAMP accumulation in CHO-K1 cells expressing the hM₂ receptor.

Example 157 In Vivo Rat Bladder Assay

Female Sprague-Dawley rats (Harlan, Indianapolis, Ind.) weighing 200 to 300 g were anesthetized with urethane (1.5 g/kg, s.c., Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), with a supplement of 0.25 g/kg, s.c. urethane as needed. Urethane was administered at a concentration of 0.25 g/mL.

Rats were prepared for surgery by shaving the neck and abdomen and cleansing with ethanol wipes. First, an incision was made on the ventral surface. An intravenous catheter was placed by isolating and ligating the femoral vein. A small incision was made in the vein proximal to the ligation through which a catheter (micro-Renathane tubing, 0.30 mm ID×0.64 mm OD, Becton Dickinson, Sparks, M D) filled with D5W was inserted and secured in place with 4.0 silk suture thread (Ethicon, Johnson and Johnson, Somerville, N.J.). Similarly, a catheter was inserted into the femoral artery for the measurement of cardiovascular parameters. A tracheotomy was performed by isolating the trachea and placing a small hole between two tracheal rings. PE 205 tubing (1.57 mm ID×2.08 mm OD, Becton Dickinson, Sparks, M D) was inserted into the trachea toward the lungs. The neck incision was closed with 9 mm wound clips leaving the catheters and distal end of the trachea tube exposed.

Subsequently, a 3 cm midline sagital incision in the skin and muscle layers of the lower abdomen was made. The bladder and ureters were isolated and exposed by means of tissue forceps. The ureters were ligated and severed distal to the bladder. The bladder was cannulated with PE50 tubing (0.58 mm ID×0.965 mm OD, Becton Dickinson, Sparks, M D) via the urethra. The cannula was attached to a micro infusion pump to allow infusion of saline into the bladder through a pressure transducer (Argon, Athen, Tex.). The cannula was secured in place using a purse string suture (4.0 silk suture). To ensure a tight seal, the cannula was tied in place around the external urethral orifice with 2.0 silk suture thread. After the bladder was placed back into the peritoneal cavity, the bladder was manually voided allowing the contents to flow out until the bladder was empty. The incision was closed with 9 mm wound clips.

After the surgical preparation, the bladder was filled with saline at a constant rate of 200 μL/min for 5 minutes or until bladder pressure averaged over 30 mm Hg. Subsequently, the bladder was filled with a maintenance infusion of 5 μL/min. When rhythmic volume-induced bladder contractions (VIBC's) were observed, the maintenance infusion was adjusted 2 to 5 μL/min. Only rats demonstrating rhythmic bladder contractions of similar peak height were used in the experiment. Animals not demonstrating this profile within 60 minutes were euthanized by CO₂ asphyxiation.

Once stable rhythmic VIBC's were observed for at least 30 minutes during the maintenance infusion, vehicle (D5W) was infused intravenously (1 mL/kg) and changes in VIBC amplitude (VIBC_(Amp)) were recorded for 15 minutes. Thereafter, an intravenous dose of the test compound was administered and changes in VIBC_(Amp) were recorded for 15 minutes. Atropine (0.1 mg/kg) was then administered intravenously (1 mL/kg) as a positive control and VIBC_(Amp) and data was recorded for an additional 15 minutes. At least four doses of each test compound at half log increments were tested in this model.

Alternatively, after the vehicle, increasing cumulative intravenous doses of the test compound were administered at 15 minute intervals (1 mL/kg) and changes in VIBC_(Amp) were recorded for 15 minutes. At least 4 doses of test compound were administered at half log increments.

The average VIBC_(Amp) during the 5-15 minute period after test compound and atropine was determined and subtracted from the average VIBC_(Amp) during the 5-15 minute post-vehicle period to obtain the test compound or atropine-induced change in VIBC_(Amp). The inhibitory effects of the test compound were normalized to the atropine response and the resulting dose-response curves were fitted with a four parameter logistic equation to obtain estimates of ID₅₀ (dose required to produce 50% of the maximal response).

Test compounds having a lower ID₅₀ value in this assay are more effective for reducing peak bladder contraction pressure. In this assay, the compound of Example 4 had an ID₅₀ value of less than or equal to about 0.1 mg/kg.

Example 158 In Vivo Rat Salivation Assay

Female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 to 300 g were anesthetized with urethane (1.5 g/kg, s.c., Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.), with a supplement of 0.25 g/kg, s.c. urethane as needed. Urethane was administered at a concentration of 0.25 g/mL.

Rats were placed on a heated blanket on their dorsal side in an inclined position (20° angle) position (head down). A swab was placed in the rat's mouth. The test compound or vehicle was administered intravenously via the tail vein. After 5 min., oxotremorine (1.0 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously. The swab was discarded and replaced by a pre-weighed swab. Saliva was then collected for 10 min. and then the swab was removed and re-weighed to determine the output of saliva. Dose-response curves were fitted with a four parameter logistic equation to obtain estimates of ID₅₀ (dose required to produce 50% of the maximal response).

Test compounds having a higher ID₅₀ in this assay had less of an effect on salivation. In this assay, the compound of Example 4 had an ID₅₀ value of greater than or equal to about 1 mg/kg.

By comparing the ID₅₀ values determined in the rat bladder assay and rat salivation assay, the in vivo bladder/salivation selectivity ratio was calculated for the compounds tested. Surprisingly, compounds of this invention were found to be bladder selective. For example, in this assay, the compound of Example 4 had an ID₅₀ bladder/salivation selectivity ratio greater than 10. In contrast, the known muscarinic receptor antagonists oxybutynin and tolterodine had an ID₅₀ bladder/salivation selectivity ratio of about 1.4 and 4.8, respectively, in this assay.

While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims appended hereto. Additionally, to the extent permitted by applicable patent laws and regulations, all publications, patents, and patent documents cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety to the same extent as if they had been individually incorporated by reference. 

1. A compound of formula I:

wherein W, X, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of CH and CR⁴; R¹ is a group of formula (a): —(CH₂)_(a)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c)—  (a) wherein each —CH₂— group in formula (a) and the —CH₂— group between the piperidine nitrogen atom and the ring containing W, X, Y and Z in formula I is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents; R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —CH₂—R⁵ and —(CH₂)_(x)—R⁶; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —CH₂—R⁷ and —(CH₂)_(y)—R⁸; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —OR³ and halo; or two adjacent R⁴ groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —O—(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-, —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—, —(O)C—CH═CH— or —CH═CH—C(O)—; or when Z is CR⁴, —OR³ and R⁴ are joined to form —O— (C₂₋₅ alkylene)- or —O—(C₁₋₅ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R⁵ and R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, —C(O)(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, —C(O)(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl) and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k) and the aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally further substituted with a phenyl group, where the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R⁶ and R⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OR⁹, —SR⁹, —S(O)R⁹, —S(O)₂R⁹, —C(O)R⁹, C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl and C₂₋₉ heteroaryl; wherein the alkyl and cycloalkyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(a) and R^(b) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, cyano, halo, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f) and —NR^(g)R^(h); or two adjacent R^(a) groups or two adjacent R^(b) groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-O— or —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R^(c) and R^(d) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R^(e) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, C₃₋₆ heterocyclic, —CH₂—R^(i) and —CH₂CH₂—R_(j); or both R^(e) groups are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and each aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(f) is independently selected from the group consisting hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R^(g) and R^(h) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; or R^(g) and R^(h) are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents, and the heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl and fluoro; each R^(i) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(j) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, C₃₋₆ heterocyclic, —OH, —O(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —O(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —O(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —O(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl), —S(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(O)₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(O)(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(O)₂(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(O)(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(O)₂(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl), —S(O)(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl) and —S(O)₂(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl); wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and each aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(k) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl, cyano, halo, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f) and —NR^(g)R^(h); or two adjacent R^(k) groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-O— or —O— (C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl and alkynyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; a is an integer from 2 to 7; b is 0 or 1; c is an integer from 2 to 7; provided that a+b+c equals 7, 8 or 9; m is an integer from 0 to 3; n is an integer from 0 to 3; p is 2; q is an integer from 0 to 4; r is an integer from 0 to 4; x is an integer from 2 to 4; y is an integer from 2 to 4; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₂—O—(CH₂)₆—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—, —(CH₂)₅—O—(CH₂)₂—, —(CH₂)₅—O—(CH₂)₃— and —(CH₂)₆—O— (CH₂)₂—.
 3. The compound according to claim 2, wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₃—O—(CH₂)₃— or —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—.
 4. The compound according to claim 3, wherein R¹ is —(CH₂)₇— or —(CH₂)₄—O—(CH₂)₄—.
 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R² is C₁₋₄ alkyl; wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents.
 6. The compound according to claim 5, wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl.
 7. The compound according to claim 1, wherein each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, cyclopropylmethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents.
 8. The compound according to claim 7, wherein each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 1,3-difluoroprop-2-yl, 1,1,3,-trifluoroprop-2-yl, and 1,1,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-2-yl.
 9. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, —OR³ and halo; wherein the alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents.
 10. The compound according to claim 9, wherein R⁴ is methyl, —OR³, fluoro or chloro.
 11. 4-{N-[7-(3-(S)-1-Carbamoyl-1,1-diphenylmethyl)piperidin-1-ylhept-1-yl]-N-(methyl)amino}-1-(2,6-dimethoxybenzyl)piperidine or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof.
 12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 13. A method for treating a mammal having a medical condition alleviated by treatment with a muscarinic receptor antagonist, wherein the medical condition is overactive bladder the method comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a compound of claim
 1. 14. A process for preparing a compound of formula I:

wherein W, X, Y and Z are independently selected from the group consisting of CH and CR⁴; R¹ is a group of formula (a): —(CH₂)_(a)—(O)_(b)—(CH₂)_(c)—  (a) wherein each —CH₂— group in formula (a) and the —CH₂— group between the piperidine nitrogen atom and the ring containing W, X, Y and Z in formula I is optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₂ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 fluoro substituents; R² is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —CH₂—R⁵ and —(CH₂)_(x)—R⁶; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R³ is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —CH₂—R⁷ and —(CH₂)_(y)—R⁸; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, —OR³ and halo; or two adjacent R⁴ groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —O—(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-, —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—, —(O)C—CH═CH— or —CH═CH—C(O)—; or when Z is CR⁴, —OR³ and R⁴ are joined to form —O—(C₂₋₅ alkylene)- or —O—(C₁₋₅ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R⁵ and R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, —C(O)(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, —C(O)(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl) and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k) and the aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally further substituted with a phenyl group, where the phenyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R⁶ and R⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of —OH, —OR⁹, —SR⁹, —S(O)R⁹, —S(O)₂R⁹, —C(O)R⁹, C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein the cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₃₋₅ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl and C₂₋₉ heteroaryl; wherein the alkyl and cycloalkyl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and the aryl and heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(a) and R^(b) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, cyano, halo, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f) and —NR^(g)R^(h); or two adjacent R^(a) groups or two adjacent R^(b) groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-O— or —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R^(c) and R^(d) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl and fluoro; wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R^(e) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, C₃₋₆ heterocyclic, —CH₂—R^(i) and —CH₂CH₂—R^(j) or both R^(e) groups are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and each aryl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(f) is independently selected from the group consisting hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; each R^(g) and R^(h) is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl and C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl; or R^(g) and R^(h) are joined together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and cycloalkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents, and the heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl and fluoro; each R^(i) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl and C₃₋₆ heterocyclic; wherein aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(j) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₂₋₉ heteroaryl, C₃₋₆ heterocyclic, —OH, —O(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —O(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —O(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —O(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl), —S(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(O)₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —S(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(O)(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(O)₂(C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl), —S(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(O)(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(O)₂(C₆₋₁₀ aryl), —S(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl), —S(O)(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl) and —S(O)₂(C₂₋₉ heteroaryl); wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; and each aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl and heterocyclic group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents independently selected from R^(k); each R^(k) is independently selected from the group consisting of C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkenyl, C₂₋₄ alkynyl, cyano, halo, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f) and —NR^(g)R^(h); or two adjacent R^(k) groups are joined to form C₃₋₆ alkylene, —(C₂₋₄ alkylene)-O— or —O—(C₁₋₄ alkylene)-O—; wherein each alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl and alkynyl group is optionally substituted with 1 to 5 fluoro substituents; a is an integer from 2 to 7; b is 0 or 1; c is an integer from 2 to 7; provided that a+b+c equals 7, 8 or 9; m is an integer from 0 to 3; n is an integer from 0 to 3; p is 2; q is an integer from 0 to 4; r is an integer from 0 to 4; x is an integer from 2 to 4; y is an integer from 2 to 4; or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof; the process comprising reacting a compound of formula IV:

or a salt or stereoisomer or protected derivative thereof; with a compound of formula V:

or a salt or protected derivative thereof; and a reducing agent to provide a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof.
 15. The process of claim 14, wherein the process further comprises the step of forming a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of the compound of formula I. 